HSC Business Studies - Operations Syllabus

ROLE OF OPERATIONS

- strategic role of operations management

- goods and/or services in different industries

- interdependence

Strategic Role of Operations Management

cost leadership, good/service differentiation

INFLUENCES

- globalisation, technology, quality expectations, cost-based competition, government policies, legal regulation, environmental sustainability

- corporate social responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

the difference between legal compliance and ethical responsibility, environmental sustainability and social responsibility

OPERATIONS PROCESSES

- inputs

- transformation processes

- outputs

Inputs

transformed resources, transforming resources

Transformed Resources

materials, information, customers

Transforming Resources

human resources, facilities

Transformation Process

the influence of volume, variety, variation in demand and visibility, sequencing and scheduling, technology, task design and process layout, monitoring, control and improvement

Sequencing and Scheduling

gantt charts, critical path analysis

Outputs

customer service, warranties

OPERATIONS STRATEGIES

- performance objectives

- new product or service design and development

- supply chain management

- outsourcing

- technology

- inventory management

- quality management

- overcoming resistance to change

- global factors

Performance Objectives

quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost

Supply Chain Management

logistics, e-commerce, global sourcing

Outsourcing

advantages and disadvantages

Technology

leading edge, established

Inventory Management

advantages and disadvantages of holding stock, LIFO, FIFO, JIT

Quality Management

control, assurance, improvement

Overcoming Resistance to Change

financial costs, purchasing new equipment, redundancy payments, retraining, reorganising plant layout, inertia

Global Factors

global sourcing, economies of scale, scanning and learning, research and development