MOØ214 Operations Management

Contents and structure

The aim of this course is to give the students a thorough understanding of operations as the main activity of the enterprise and how to gain competitive advantage through operations. An important goal for operations systems is to achieve a smooth flow of work through the system by dealing with inefficiencies, variability and uncertainty in order to enhance productivity, reduce lead time and increase customer service. Operations management concepts are not confined to one department, but are rather far reaching, affecting every functional aspect of the organization. Product quality, performance, availability and costs are all directly influenced by actions taken in operations. Decisions made by operations managers are also important to customers because they affect the value of the of the organization`s products. Questions of sustainability, ethics and CSR will be discussed throughout the course.

• Introduction to Operations management, Performance and Strategy
• Design in Operations
• Delivery - Planning and Controlling Operations
• Improvement of Operations
• Sustainability, CSR and Ethics in connection to Operations

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

After finishing the course, the candidate has advanced knowledge

• about the necessity of good production flow and the factors who influence such flow
• about planning and measuring production performance
• about productivity and how that can be enhanced

Skills

After finishing the course, the candidate is able to

• use theories and models to plan and carry out analysis of 'real life' production processes
• carry out analysis and suggest instruments for ethical behaviour and CSR in a given organization

General Competence

After finishing the course, the candidate

• is able to translate findings from operations theory into practical knowledge
• is able to communicate important findings from operations theory
• can take part in bigger research projects within this field of knowledge.
• can be a partner in consultant work on operations management.
• is able to communicate about relevant topics; both in discussions among specialists and to non-specialist co-workers or other stakeholders

Entry requirements

Admission requirements for the study programme.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods will be a mixture of traditional lecturing, class discussions, project work, student presentations, and supervision on written assignments.

The course will be taught in English if required by any of the participants, otherwise in Norwegian. Assignments, reports and exams can be written in Norwegian or English.

Compulsory learning activities

None

Assessment

Written group semester thesis with individual adjusting oral examination.

The grade for the semester thesis will be announced at least 24 hours before the adjusting oral examination starts. The grade may be adjusted up or down by maximum one grade.

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

The semester task is valid only in the current semester.

Examination support material

All exam materials permitted for semester task,

No items allowed at the adjusting oral examination.

More about examination support material