Question

***Please write an essay in 500-1000 words, Times New Roman, Double space, answering the following:

1. Briefly introduce 4 influential contributors of OM theories and their theories

Answer 1

Operations management involves managing the raw materials, labor, resources, processes etc which helps in the production of the raw materials. The modern operations management is based on the following four theories. They are:

• Business process redesign
• Reconfigurable manufacturing system
• Six sigma
• Lean manufacturing

The modern operations management is purely based on and revolving around these four theories.

1. Business process redesign – It was formulated in 1993 by Michael Hammer, a professor of computer science at MIT. The theory focuses on the analysis and design of work flow within a company. It helps companies in restructuring by designing the business process from the ground level. Companies will form teams and seek ways to increase productivity, reduce cycle times, improve product quality, have more efficient client service along with implementation of new technologies and restricting and streamlining the teams.
2. Reconfigurable manufacturing system – They are theories which aids in accelerated change in the structure, hardware and software components. With this, a sudden adaptability towards the capacity change can be made and can continue their production efficiently. Faster response to the market or intrinsic changes can be made.
3. Six sigma – This is an approach which focuses mainly on the quality of the product. This method was initially developed by Motorola. There are six standard deviations that are possible from the normal mean distribution. There are certain steps that are sequentially defined and targets in increasing the profit and reducing the cost.
4. Lean manufacturing – This is a systematic tool for eliminating the wastes in the manufacturing process. Any usage of resources other than for value creation is considered as wasteful and should eliminate wastes in the production. This was the method followed by Toyota manufacturing plants and they succeeded in this and was able to achieve the goal of reducing the expenses via lean manufacturing.