Operations Management

MBA Full-Time Mode

Assignment Requirements

 
1. Mapping Assessments to Module Learning Outcomes

NO Module Descriptors Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module students should be able to: 4000 words WRIT1 Coursework
(100%)
1 Evaluate the nature, scope and extent of manufacturing and service operations strategy;
✓
2 Critically evaluate the use of quality tools and techniques for a wide range of organisational problems;
✓
3 Solve complex operational problems related to managing capacity and constraints within organisations;
✓
4 Demonstrate the application of strategies, tools and techniques to improve business operations and appraise and select appropriate methods for managing supply bases for a variety of organisations. ✓

Module Assessment

One of the key aspects of any business (the business being considered in a broad sense) is to provide services and/or products in line with customer demands. Operations Management deals with the design and management of delivery of these products and services including processes and supply chains. The study of Operations Management involves every level i.e. strategic, tactical and operational.

TASK:
Pick an Organisation of your choice. You are an Operations Management Consultant. You are required to undertake an individual research project and to prepare a Management Report (4000 words+-10%) for the Board of Directors of the company. (You need to seek prior approval for the chosen organisation from the module leader before starting your research). HAND-IN date to be advised.

• A large International manufacturer is the best choice.
• You can choose a division of a company, as long as you can obtain the information needed to cover the assignment tasks.
• The following slide gives examples of cases.
• This list will be posted on the GC website.

Examples of case studies

The key aspects that need to be covered within the report are:

• PART A1 – Word count approx.: 750 words
i) “Critically evaluate the operations functions within the organisation and the role of the operations manager within the organisation”. (Note: I would expect you to evaluate current practices and evaluate them in the light of standard practices within the industry that the organisation is in and how well/badly does this organisation align with the industry standards)
• If the organisation is a manufacturer – you are looking to give a summary discussion about its operations, the types of products it makes, any key issues/problems faced etc – and the main aspects of the operations managers role (this differs across industries e.g. an operations manager in a bread factory will be concerned with different things to an operations manager in a computer factory).
• Are there any industry standards that the organisation has to meet – e.g. ISO etc – is it meeting standards?

PART A11: Word count approx.: 1000 Words (Free word count for the Process Chart)
“Draw a Process Chart for the organisation showing how customers are processed through operations within the organisation”.
Here you have some degree of flexibility – as a Process Chart of how customers are processed from start to finish is a typical example. You can however choose to use a different example to illustrate with a Process Map – other popular choices include Quality Management Process Chart, Fault Finding Process Chart etc.
The Process Chart should fill a minimum of a half page of detailed steps – and a maximum of one whole page – and example is shown down.

Critically discuss how the Process Management should be planned in the organization to achieve operational excellence. Support your answer by illustrating: –
• Process Analysis and Improvement– (approx. 200 words)
• Customer Service Strategies– (approx. 200 words)
• Inventory Management– (approx. 200 words)
• Scheduling Operations–(approx. 200 words)
• Purchasing and Supplier Management–(approx. 200 words)
Total for Section A11: 1000 Words

PART A111: Word count: approx. 700 words
Identify if the organisation is implementing any Lean processes. If it is then critically evaluate if what benefits it is bringing to the organisation and IF NOT then critically evaluate how implementation of lean management could benefit the organisation. (Extra credit would be provided for use of examples).
• This section is looking for specific examples of LEAN in your case study – as we did in class with the Toyota case example – and Bolton Hospital example.
• There are often initiatives going on at different times in different parts of an organisation aimed at reducing waste (we did 7 types of waste with Toyota).
• You have the flexibility to identify any such examples in your organisation case study.
Word count: approx. 700 words

• PART B – Word count: approx. 700 words
 “Managing Capacity is the most tricky part of operations management” as it is characterised by uncertainty. Using the organisation as an example you need to critically evaluate whether: “Organisations should always attempt to match its capacity to its forecast and known demand patterns or there might be situations where this might not be needed”.
 This section is about discussing specifically how your organisation manages capacity.
 Is Managing Capacity straightforward – i.e. are forecasts reliable/predictable – to enable accurate capacity planning?
 When there is variation in demand – how does your organisation case study adjust capacity when required?
Word count: approx. 700 words

• PART C – Word Count: approx. 500 words.
 “Collate all your findings about the organisation and draw concrete conclusions and draw some recommendations for the organisation”, which can be from the practitioner i.e. other organisations/industry or academic research.
 This section is looking for you to summarise your key findings.
 Based on your findings, you can make some recommendations for the future – improvement suggestions etc.
Word Count: approx. 500 words.

You need to follow a REPORT FORMAT.

Report Structure, Layout, and suggested word count:

• Cover Page: Your Name and Student Number and the word count.
• Executive Summary
– Written last – placed first.
– Include:
 The issue
 How you investigated it
 Key findings
 Future recommendations
 Half a page

• Introduction (setting the scene and purpose of the report) [350 words]
– More detailed
– Introduces the document & contents
– Introduces the company
– Does not include findings, recommendations etc.
– Approx. 350 words.

• Part A1: Current Operations – in your case study. (Operations Management in the Organisation highlighting the key issues as well)
• (Not Marketing, Not HRM– OPERATIONS).
– Compare to industry standards.
– Role of the Operations Manager – in your case.
– Illustrations to support text.
– Approx. 750 words

• Part A11: (Process Management in the Organisation including the Process Chart)
– Draw a Process Chart specific to your case study
– Use your company example to show:
 Process analysis and improvement ( approx half a page)
 Customer Service Strategies ..
 Inventory Management ..
 Scheduling Operations ..
 Purchasing and Supplier Management ..
– Approx. 1000 words in total

• Part A111: (Lean Management in the Organisation)
– Identify some specific examples of Lean.
– Draw a Lean Table to illustrate one example.
– If you can, Draw a Value Stream Map from your table.
– If the company does not use Lean – identify where it might be used, how, & potential benefits – be specific.
– Approx. 700 Words

• Part B: (Capacity Management within the organisation)
– Discuss how Capacity Management is being used in the organisation.
– How does their approach compare to Capacity Management theories? – but limit the theory text.
– Could Capacity Management be better – suggestions?
– Approx. 700 words

• Part C: (Conclusions and Recommendations)
– Conclusions and Recommendations
– Remember also:
 Spelling and grammar checks – this is a M Level
 Referencing
 Appendices
 Diagrams/charts/tables
 Approx. 500 words
•

Further tips:

• Structure within the sections identified can contain further subheadings (such as Techniques, Methods, Models, Tools, Strategies etc.)
• You might want to bring in examples from other industries.
• The report MUST have a proper reference list in the end of the report.
• Try to think outside the box.
• Research the case extensively – why? – to have lots of information to draw from.
• Start with key summary notes
• Review the Ops theories – but don’t write more than an introduction on any theory topic (theory gets zero marks)
• Apply theory to analyse the case study.
• Follow the report guidelines in the assignment document.
• Remember to “balance” the report 90/10. (case/theory)
• Do not forget what this assignment is about: OPERATIONS
• Do not write a story about the case.
• Do not write pages of theory.
• Do not forget references, spelling, grammar.
• Do not write well over or well below the word count.
•

Marking and assessment criteria

• Evidence of the level of critical analysis of the issues faced by the organisation being evaluated.
• Understanding, critical evaluation and application of appropriate techniques, methods, models and tools to the issues discussed
• Appropriateness and justification of the conclusions drawn and recommendations made to address the issues identified
• Clarity and coherence of report (with regard to structure of analysis, diagnosis, correctness of spelling and grammar, appropriateness of language, accuracy of referencing including use of English and Harvard Referencing scheme).

The grid below indicates typical attributes of student work and the corresponding bands of grades in relation to the assessment criteria.
Assessment criteria Understanding, critical evaluation and application of appropriate techniques, methods, models and tools to the issues discussed Evidence of the level of critical analysis of the issues faced by the organisations in the case study
Quality of the definition of the key problems faced by the organisations in the case study

Appropriateness and justification of recommended changes and interventions to address the issues identified
Clarity and coherence of report , including use of English and Harvard Referencing scheme
[Distinction] 70% + Draws on comprehensive range of appropriate techniques, methods, models and tools which show evidence of independent research. Application is effective and critical / creative and shows evidence of synthesis of different models. Comprehensive, critical and original analysis of the issues, demonstrating excellent ability to synthesise evidence. The problems are identified, related clearly to the preceding analysis. Problem definition is creative and shows excellent and critical awareness of alternative possible definitions and ability to synthesise these to produce clear definitions. Selection of changes and interventions is creative and critical and clearly justified. Recommended interventions are creative and critical and clearly justified through relation to earlier analysis. Written English style is clear, articulate and persuasive, and report is logically and coherently structured. Referencing is accurate and full.
[Merit] 60%-69% Draws on extensive range of appropriate techniques, methods, models and tools . Application is effective and shows evidence of synthesis of different models. Extensive and effective critical analysis of the issues demonstrating ability to synthesise evidence. Problems are identified and related clearly to the preceding analysis. Problem definition is thorough and shows some awareness of alternative possible definitions and ability to synthesise these to produce clear definitions. Selection of changes and interventions is well justified. Recommended interventions are well justified through relation to earlier analysis. Written English style is clear and effective and report is structured logically. Referencing is accurate.
[Pass] 50%-59% Draws on range of appropriate techniques, methods, models and tools . Application is effective. Relevant critical analysis of issues Key aspects of the situation are identified and analysed. Problems are identified and defined. Selection of changes and interventions are appropriate and some valid justifications are given. Written English style is clear and descriptive and report structure is clear. Referencing is generally accurate.
[Fail] 40%-49% Draws on some techniques, methods, models and tools. There is no effective application in places. Critical analysis of issues may be very partial and not always relevant. Some key aspects of the issues will not have been identified and described. Problem are not identified. Definition of the problems may lack focus and clarity. Selection of changes and interventions will be very partly appropriate; justification may be weak. English style is weak with problems of comprehension or expression. Report structure may lack clarity in places. There may be inaccuracies in referencing.
[Fail] 30%-39% Draws on limited range of techniques, methods, models and tools. These may not always be appropriate. Application may be flawed in places. Critical analysis of current situation is limited or flawed. Key aspects of the issues may be ignored. Problems may not be clearly identified. Definition of the problems may be flawed. Selection of changes and interventions may be inappropriate and / or not understood. English style may be weak and difficult to understand. The report may be presented poorly with many errors and structure may be unclear. Referencing may be inaccurate.
[Fail] 20%-29% Inappropriate or / no techniques, methods, models and tools may be selected and/ or not applied to organisation. Knowledge and understanding may be lacking. Little or no critical analysis of the issues. No identification of problems or problems identified are irrelevant. Selection of changes and interventions may be largely absent and / or irrelevant. English style may be weak and difficult to understand with some lack of semantic/ grammatical correctness. Report structure may be confused. Referencing may be very limited, inaccurate or largely absent.

Coursework must be submitted online by the given deadline.

The only circumstance in which assignments can be submitted late is if there is a Mitigating Circumstances (MC).

Write the number of words used, excluding references, at the end of your assignment.

Provide the list of sources you used at the last page of your assignment with proper label ‘References’. You may include diagrams, figures etc. without word penalty. The number of words will be + or – 10% of the total words allowed.

A work declaration must be included just after the reference page of your assignment. This ensures that you prepare your work in good faith. Any form of collusion and/or academic unfair practice will be dealt with according to the pertinent rules and regulations of the partner university. Please read carefully the plagiarism guide.

• Do not put a fancy front page on your assignment
• Pages must be numbered
• Please use a minimum font size of 12
• Times new Roman Font Style
• 1.5 line spacing and justify alignment
• Must be electronic submission
• Turnitin will only allow one submission per 24 hours
• You must hand in your assignment by the specified day and time.
• Whatever is handed in will be marked (make sure you have submitted the right file!)
• If you have a reason for not meeting the deadline such as illness then contact the Postgraduate Studies Department at the Gulf College to discuss Mitigating circumstances.
Please note this is for guidance only, University regulations are subject to change so it is a students’ responsibility to ensure they are aware of current regulations.

Note: Please make sure that you are familiar with the following ‘M’ Level ‘Terminology’

Essay term Definition
Analyse Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelate to one another.
Assess Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter-arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.
Clarify Literally make something clearer and, where appropriate, simplify it. This could involve, for example, explaining in simpler terms a complex process or theory, or the relationship between two variables.
Comment upon Pick out the main points on a subject and give your opinion, reinforcing your point of view using logic and reference to relevant evidence, including any wider reading you have done.
Compare Identify the similarities and differences between two or more phenomena. Say if any of the shared similarities or differences are more important than others. ‘Compare’ and ‘contrast’ will often feature together in an essay question.
Consider Say what you think and have observed about something. Back up your comments using appropriate evidence from external sources, or your own experience. Include any views which are contrary to your own and how they relate to what you originally thought.
Contrast Similar to compare but concentrate on the dissimilarities between two or more phenomena, or what sets them apart. Point out any differences which are particularly significant.
Critically evaluate Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Conclude, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
Define To give in precise terms the meaning of something. Bring to attention any problems posed by the definition and different interpretations that may exist.
Demonstrate Show how, with examples to illustrate.
Describe Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens.
Discuss Essentially this is a written debate where you are using your skill at reasoning, backed up by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of a given context. Remember to conclude.
Elaborate To give in more detail, provide more information on.
Evaluate Discuss something in a way that allows you to reach a judgment (conclusion) about it. In your answer, explain the rationale behind your conclusion. In a mathematically or formally oriented question, “evaluate” might mean to work through the formal material to reach the result. (Think of evaluating an expression.)
Examine Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding a topic. This should be a critical evaluation, and you should try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.

Explain Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood, defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.

REFERENCING STYLE
The HARVARD method of referencing is recommended within Cardiff Metropolitan University.
The HARVARD system has a number of advantages:
• there are no footnotes
• it does not interrupt the flow of the text when read
• it provides references to sources without the reader having to go to the end of the text
• it simplifies the citations at the end of the text by doing away with the need for a list of references as well as a bibliography.
The main points about referencing are to be consistent and to use the system correctly.
Citing within your Text
Brief quotes (less than 5 lines) are usually contained within the text but placed between inverted commas, while longer extracts are given a separate single-spaced indented paragraph with a line left blank above and below and no use of inverted commas. In both cases, you must acknowledge the author within your text and give a full reference in the Reference List.
If you refer to the author directly, place the year of publication in brackets: e.g.
Bell (1994) describes a number of different strategies for . . . . .
If the author is not referred to directly in the sentence, both the name and year are placed in brackets: e.g.
One particular source on methodology (Bell, 1994) has indicated that. . . .
Do not add forenames or initials. The year refers to when the particular edition was published, not the year the text was printed. If a reference relates to a particular page in a book, include the page number prefixed by p. for a single page, or pp. if more than one page. Quotations from articles do not need the page numbers as they should be indicated in the Reference List included at the end of you work (see later in this unit).
Some examples of how to reference within your work follow:
• If you want to use a small direct quotation of a piece of text within your work , then you must give the details of the text between inverted commas followed by name, date and page(s) e.g.

“Reading . . . . . may help you to devise a theoretical or analytical framework as a basis for the analysis and interpretation of data.” (Bell, 1993, p. 33)
• When referring to the work in the text as part of a sentence then immediately after the name include the date and page number only: e.g. Bell (1993, p. 33) states that “Reading may help you to devise a theoretical or analytical framework as a basis for the analysis and interpretation of data.”
• For a long quote, it is best to use the following format
Blank line
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . shows this well.
Bell, 1993, pp. 33-34
Blank line
• If more than one text has been published by the same author in the same year (and is included in the reference list), then label them a, b, etc: e.g.
Jones, 1992a

Jones, 1992b, p. 51
• Multiple references should be listed according to the date of publication: e.g.
Kane, 1984; Walker, 1985; and Bell, 1993.
• Where there are more than two authors, the surname of the first followed by ‘et al’ and the year is used (full details should be provided in the reference list at the end): e.g.
Jones et al., 1991
• Where the author(s) is (are) the editor(s) of the text the name(s) is (are) followed by ‘ed’ and then the year: e.g.
House, ed., 1986

Bell et al. eds., 1984.
• Where an original source has been found in a secondary work, always quote the original in your text, but acknowledge in the Reference List at the end where the original was seen. There is no need to mention the secondary work in the text.
N.B. In postgraduate, masters and PhD work particularly, students will be expected to use primary sources as far as possible.
The Reference List
You must always fully reference all your sources at the end of your work. Use the heading REFERENCES and place before any appendices
Building a Reference
The first item in your reference is the author’s surname, followed by the author’s initials and the date. The title is next followed by the subtitle (if there is one). The final items are the publisher’s location and name.
References in the list are arranged alphabetically according to the author’s name. ALL works referred to in the text and secondary sources where the work was found (if relevant) should be listed. If there is more than one text by the same author then order them by date.
Referencing different sources
Different types of sources require a slightly different method of referencing.
N.B. Please note punctuation conventions should be observed exactly as indicated in these guidelines.
Books
Gill, J., and Johnson, P., (2007), Research Methods for Managers, (Third Edition), Sage
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A., (2009), Research Methods for Business Students, (Fifth Edition), Financial Times/Prentice Hall
Biggam, J., (2011), Succeeding with your Masters Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook, Sage; London
Fisher, C., (2007), Researching and Writing a Dissertation: A Guidebook for Business Students, FT/Prentice Hall; London
Furseth, I., & Everett, E.L., (2013), Sage Study skills Series; London
Gill, J., and Johnson, P., (2011), Research Methods for Managers, e-book
Hart, C., (2004), Doing your Masters Dissertation ,Sage Study skills; London
Lomas, R.,(2011), Mastering your Business Dissertation: How to Conceive Research and Write a Good Business Dissertation, Routledge; Oxon
British Standards
Cite British Standards Institution, date in brackets, title, BS number, e.g.
British Standards Institution (1994), Quality Systems, BS ENIS09000.
Conference Proceedings
Include as much information as possible, citing the author’s name and initial, the date in brackets, title of paper, title of conference, location, date, organisers/publishers, e.g.
Wharfe, L. (1991), Continuity in Education and Training for Further Education. In: The Search for Continuity in FE Teacher-Training, Huddersfield. The Polytechnic of Huddersfield and SCINSCET: Conference Report, Huddersfield.

Journal Articles
Cite the author’s name and initial, the date in brackets, the title of the article, the title of the Journal (underlined/italics), the volume and part number, and the page numbers, e.g.
Churcher, J. (1990), Evaluating the effectiveness of in-service education and training. Education Today, 40 (2), pp. 37-41.
N.B. Capital letters are used for each major word (not prepositions, conjunctions or definite/indefinite articles) for book titles, but not for article titles.

Secondary Sources
Articles or chapters that are quoted from anthologies are quoted as normal in the text, but both the article and the original source must be acknowledged in the Reference List in alphabetical order, e.g.
Allan, G. and Skinner, C. (eds.) (1991), Handbook for Research in the Social Sciences.London: The Falmer Press.
Clavert, P. (1991), Writing Skills, in Allan and Skinner (eds.) (1991) pp. 96-106

Citing electronic references
Much of the material you use in your essays and assignments may come from electronic sources such as the internet. This material must also be referenced correctly, and guidance on how to do this can be found by following the links below
Simple guidelines with examples can be found at:
https://study.cardiffmet.ac.uk/AcSkills/Documents/Guides/AS_Guide_Referencing.pdf
More comprehensive information is available in Excerpts from International Standard ISO 690-2 at: http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/iso/tc46sc9/standard/690-2e.htm
E-books
For e-books the required elements for a reference are:

Author, Year, Title of book. [type of medium] Place of publication: Publisher. Followed by “Available at:” (then) include e-book source and web site address/URL(Uniform Resource Locator) and routing details if needed. [Accessed date].

Fishman, R., 2005. The rise and fall of suburbia. [e-book] Chester: Castle Press.
Available at: University Library/Digital Library/e-books http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/E-books
[Accessed 5 June 2005].

Carlsen, J. & Charters, S., eds. 2007. Global wine tourism. [e-book] Wallingford: CABI Pub.
Available at: University Library/Library Catalogue/ https://oscar.lib.anglia.ac.uk/
[Accessed 9 June 2008].
NB Do not list references in separate categories.

2. Unfair Practice
What is Plagiarism (Unfair Practice)?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines plagiarism as ‘writing borrowed thoughts as original’. Plagiarism is distinguished from the proper use of sources by its failure to discuss, analyse and acknowledge the influence of another’s work. Students will, of course, use other people’s work and ideas, but there is a difference between this and relying totally on other peoples’ efforts.
Plagiarism is Unfair Practice. There are strict University regulations regarding Unfair Practice Procedure and Plagiarism. Each assessment submitted by a student is checked for plagiarism and collusion. If your work is highlighted as a cause for concern, you will be notified and the information passed to the Regulations Team in Academic Registry who will investigate further. It is unacceptable to pass off the work of someone else as being your own. Your attention is therefore drawn to the Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Handbook available on the website. The Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Handbook defines plagiarism and specifies the consequences of engaging in that practice.
What does it cover?
Your sources of material must be acknowledged. All information taken from books, journals, handouts etc., must be clearly referenced. All written work (practical written assignments, essays for tutors, assessment essays, essays in examinations, long essays and dissertations, etc.) must be a reflection of a student’s own efforts. All quotations from other sources must be acknowledged.
Students who reproduce the words of an author, editor, journalist or critic and attempt to pass them off as their own original work will be heavily penalised.
This includes both copying word for word and copying work making slight changes.
A subtle form of plagiarism occurs when there is no deliberate intention to deceive, for example making notes from a text and then copying those notes without realising that the words used are the original author’s and not the student’s. However, this is still plagiarism and must be avoided.
Direct copying of any material will always be severely penalised and will be brought to the attention of the exam board.
Students are reminded that the University regards academic misconduct as a very serious matter. Students found guilty of academic misconduct are subjected to various penalties see guide on ‘GUIDELINES ON PENALTIES FOR UNFAIR PRACTICES’

Following are some of the actions, which are considered as academic misconduct with regards to examinations and coursework.

Taking unauthorised materials into an examination (See Exam Conduct)

PLAGIARISM – (submitting work for assessment knowing it to be the work of another person) / (failing to acknowledge the source of material in an assignment).

3. Mitigating Circumstances
Students should submit their assignment(s) by the set deadline for submission. The deadline can be extended in exceptional cases. A reasoned application must be submitted by the candidate for further consideration. The extension shall be subject to approval of the Mitigating Circumstances.