Operations Management

Operations Management is about the management, design, planning, control, and development of an organization’s processes. The goal is to ensure that the business operates resource-efficiently, satisfies customer needs, and achieves its objectives. This involves optimizing resource use, minimizing costs, and maximizing quality and productivity. Simultaneously, factors such as cost, time, quality, and flexibility are balanced to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable operations. The course provides a fundamental introduction to the understanding and application of Operations Management, including sustainability and ethical perspectives.

Basic theories, concepts, principles, and methods are covered for the following topics:

• Strategy and competitive advantage
• Product and service innovation
• Supply management
• Process design
• Facilities, layout, and material flow
• Planning and control of physical and administrative processes
• Capacity planning
• Continuous improvement and performance management
• Quality management

The course is mandatory in the first year of the INGLOG study program (Identity Course 2). The course provides an introduction to Operations Management from a management perspective.

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the candidate will:

• Have fundamental knowledge of key theories, concepts, principles, and methods within Operations Management
• Have a basic understanding of process design, planning, and capacity management in various types of organizations
• Be familiar with the importance of performance and quality management for continuous improvement
• Be familiar with how different factors affect strategy, efficiency, and competitiveness in organizations

Skills:

After completing the course, the candidate will:

• Be able to apply key principles and methods within Operations Management independently and critically
• Be able to analyze processes and propose improvement measures based on acquired knowledge
• Be able to translate theory into practical solutions for the planning and management of operational processes
• Be able to apply acquired methods to contribute to effective and sustainable operational processes

General Competence:

After completing the course, the candidate will:

• Understand the relationship between Operations Management and overall business management
• Be able to collaborate and contribute to teams to solve practical challenges
• Demonstrate the ability for critical thinking and reflection on operational issues
• Be able to communicate operational issues within Operations Management in a clear and structured manner, both in writing and orally
• Be aware of how operations management is influenced by external factors such as technological development and sustainability goals

Lectures, individual assignments, og group case exercises.