Advanced Operations Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

144 hours per semester, including self-directed study/research

Admission into MC-COMMGT Master of Commerce (Management), or MC-COMMKT Master of Commerce (Marketing), or PhD with coursework (Management and Marketing)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines state of the art thinking on the productive processes within organisations. The subject will provide an in-depth understanding of topics such as: the strategic importance of operations; planning and controlling the use of resources; ensuring quality of products and services; human issues involved in operations. The subject also considers the evolving context of operations management, with particular focus on globalisation, supply chain innovation, virtual and e-operations, agile/lean operations and mass customisation. This subject delves deeper into the quantitative tools available to managers for getting the most from the operations system.

On successful completion of this subject a student should be able to:

• Explain the strategic and operating issues and decisions involved in managing the business/operational processes within an enterprise;
• Describe the conceptual frameworks and analytical tools available to managers to optimise a firm’s operational capacity;
• Explain how effective management of operations relates to organisations' strategic decisions, key processes, competitive posture and, ultimately, performance; and
• Analyse resource allocation decisions.

• Class participation (each student will be assigned a journal article prior to each lecture. Besides presenting the critical evaluations on the articles in each lecture, each student has to lead the discussions on the articles), every lecture from weeks 2 to 11 (10%)
• A 3000 word assignment and oral presentation, due in week 10 (40%)
• A 3 hour examination at the end of semester (50%)

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Application of theory to practice;
• Critical thinking;
• Analysis and synthesis of issues; and
• Communication, presentation and reporting.