T h e c u rren t is su e a n d fu ll te x t a rc h iv e o f th is jo u rn a l is a v a ila b le a t http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0144-3577.htm
CASE RESEARCH
Case research in operations management
Chris Voss, Nikos Tsikriktsis and Mark Frohlich
London Business School, London, UK
Keywords Operations management, Research, Methodology, Case studies Abstract This paper reviews the use of case study research in operations management for theory development and testing. It draws on the literature on case research in a number of disciplines and uses examples drawn from operations management research. It provides guidelines and a roadmap for operations management researchers wishing to design, develop and conduct case-based research.
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Drejer et al. (1998) indicate that there is a particular tradition of this kind of research in Scandinavia, where case research is widely used in such research. Case research is widely used in other management disciplines, notably organisational behaviour and strategy. Yin (1994) has described in detail case research design, and Glaser and Strauss (1967) described the grounded theory method. Case research has its roots in the broader field of social sciences, in particular ethnographic studies and anthropology. In this paper, we will draw on the experience of these disciplines as well as that of researchers in operations and technology management. In particular, we will draw on the work of Eisenhardt (1989), who brought together much of the previous work on building theory from case research. Our intention is to provide a roadmap for designing, developing and conducting case-based research and also to describe some recent examples of case-based research in the field of operations and technology management. Most of the research conducted in the field of operations management is based on rationalist[1] research methods, primarily statistical survey analysis and mathematical modelling. However, since ``. . . the explanation of quantitative findings and the construction of theory based on those findings will ultimately have to be based on qualitative understanding’’ (Meredith, 1998),
Operations refers to the transformation of raw materials(inputs) into finished products(outputs). The operations process is one of the key business functions and is a crucial component to business success. Like every business, Qantas is affected by many internal and external influences requiring it to have effective strategies to respond to these influences. Businesses that are able to adopt and utilise effective operational strategies are able to quickly adapt and either reduce or take advantage of these influences that impact the business. The effectiveness of these strategies can measured by Qantas’ performance and whether or not it is able to hold it’s competitive advantage. How well these strategies respond to the influences on
In this executive summary, The Goal by Goldratt will be analyzed in detail. First, 10 operations management decisions as found on page 7 of the Heizer and Render textbook will be listed in column 1. Next, for each OM decision, examples from The Goal textbook that exemplify the type of problem or solution relevant to the OM area will be summarized in column 2. Finally, a scenario from my work life will be exemplified in column 3.
Russell, R. S., & Taylor III, B. W. (2014). Operations and Supply Chain Management, 8th edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Operations Management in an organisation is repsonsible for managing and in making decisions concerning the activities that convert inputs into outputs , that is goods and services. This covers both short term actvities as well as longer term activities to meet strategic goals. Inputs can be the raw materaials need to manufacture goods such as furniture or the computers needed to create a service like online shopping site. Operation management’s role is to make decisions to improve how operation activities function, for example, to improve the final quality of the output or to change production methods to be more efficient in terms of cost and in time.
Operations management is essential for the survival and success of any organization. According to Heizer & Render (2011), operations management (OM) is the set of activities that creates value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. Operations managers today contend with competition, globalization, inflation, consumer demand, and consistent change in technology. Managers must focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of processes such as cost, dependability, distribution, flexibility, and speed. The intent of this paper is to discuss the processes and operations management of the Kroger Company.
Operations management is defined as the design, execution, and control of operations that convert resources into desired goods and services, while implementing an organizations business strategy (Business Dictionary, 2015). Office Depot Inc. is one such organization that truly understands that solid operations is the foundation to the success they have had in recent years. In this paper, I will give the history and background of Office Depot Inc. and explain why they have been able to keep such a competitive advantage in the consumer and small business supply industry. Additionally, I will
In their empirical study, Hill and Westbrook (1997), the group members of operations management academics, analyzed 20 UK manufacturing companies in 1993-1994 on
Brown, S., Lamming, R., Bessant, J., & Jone, P. (2005). Strategic Operations Management. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.
When implementing project 1, you face technical and market risk. How would you assess the risks embedded in Project 1?
Our approach was to facilitate the demand with respect to the market. We penetrated the market by building factory in Fardo and building warehouses to the respective regions, Caleopeia, Sorange, Entworpe, Tyran. Another component that we had to consider was finding the optimal cost to increase market share and increase our profit margin. Discussion on the logistics will be discussed thoroughly, which affected our decision points and our overall outcome. There are a few questions we needed to answer before we built a road map to our strategy i.e. figuring out where to build the factory and warehouse, estimate the demand of the four regions and Fargo region, should we change capacity, adjust ordering point with respect to quantity, and also
This analysis delves into the company’s operation management principles to interpret its successful strategies and offer future recommendations.
The case study illustrates the challenges met by a newly established company i.e. Rio Bravo IV in a high performance and quality demanding Industry. It shows how the best operations management strategy is important and how customer focus is a key feature in the success of an organization. We also see how building the right team for the right job will be key in the success of projects in today’s result oriented world.
Operations management is concerned with all operations inside the company related to activities, which include overseeing buys, stock control, quality control, stockpiling and logistics. A great deal of center is on proficiency and effectiveness of such procedures. A case of successful operations management in retail segment is evident in Zara’s business model (Tanuwe)
Richard Dana Associates (RDA) was brought in by the owners of a family-owned business with complex relationship issues at a time preceding an anticipated leadership transition. Following individual and group coaching sessions, RDA was able to help the leadership separate personal issues, and codify practices through formal policies to allow the leadership group to focus on business issues without personal complications. At the end of RDA's engagement, the client was well-positioned to begin developing a transition plan.