PROFESSOR:
Umit Akinc
Kirby Hall 317; Tel: 758-5035(O);725-4147(H); E-mail
akinc@wfu.edu;
Course Webpage: http://wfu.edu/~akinc/bus241/bus241.html
A study of operations strategy and planning in support of the business strategy of the firm. Topics include, operations strategy, quality management, project planning and control, capacity planning, location, layout, demand forecasting, supply chain management, aggregate planning, production scheduling and inventory systems.
Operations is one of the major functional areas of business in both product and service companies. This course will provide an introductory overview of the operations function. Specific objectives are:
Class sessions will explore course material primarily
through class discussion, supplemented by lectures. In addition, a set of
articles and cases will be studied and discussed in class. Students are
expected to have read the assigned chapter (including solved problems), outside
readings, and case studies and come to class prepared to be active
participants.
Some dos and don'ts!
There will be several assignments to be turned in. These include several problem sets from your text, one written case analysis and the Deac Inc. problem set. Deac Inc. is an integrated exercise in various interrelated production planning steps. In the solution of the Deac Inc. problems you will make extensive use of spreadsheets. While the assignments from the text (#1, #3, #7 and #8) are individual assignments, the Deac Inc. problems (#2, #4, #5, #6) will be done by a group of three or four students. Each member of the group is expected to thoroughly understand what is being turned in. Furthermore, each group will be assigned one of the four cases: Bose, Sensormatics, New Balance and Nypro for a written analysis to be turned in. This is important! Everyone will prepare to discuss all the cases in class regardless of whether your group is assigned to turn in a written case analysis. Use the questions below for each case as a guide. You are free to set up your groups. Please submit a list of names of your group members by Sept 11. If you have difficulty finding a group to belong to, let me know.
The letter semester grade will be based on the 10 point
scale (90 and up A; 80 and up B; etc). The +/- grading system will divide these 10 point ranges into 3 equal intervals
i.e., 89.99 to 86.7 B+; 86.69 to 83.4 B; and 83.33 to 80 B- etc.
Your semester average will be calculated as:
|
Two mid-term tests 20% each |
40% |
|
Text Problem Assignments(1,3,7,8) |
5% |
|
Group work--case analysis |
3% |
|
Group Deac Inc. Assignments (2,4,5,6) |
10% |
|
Class participation |
10% |
|
Comprehensive final test |
32% |
If the final test grade is higher than either of the two mid-term tests, a 5% weight shift per test to the (higher) final test grade will be made. The tests and the final will contain material both from the text, reading materials, case studies and class discussions. No make up tests will be given except under extreme circumstances. Finally, assignments are for your benefit. They are intended to facilitate your learning and to help you get ready for the tests.
Please use the following as minimal guidelines in preparing for case discussions and/or written analysis. Do not feel confined only to those points. Your written analysis should be about 4 to 5 double spaced pages excluding any tables or exhibits. Allocate most of the space to the analysis of the issues rather than rehashing the facts stated in the case. Try to be as factual as possible. Make as much use of the relevant data (quantitative and otherwise)as possible. Refrain from offering opinions without bases. Do make assumptions when you have to, but offer justification. Support your conclusions. Try to be credible and convincing.
1. HANK KOLB:
2. BOSE CORPORATION (A):
3. SENSORMATICS:
4. MANAGING INNOVATION at NYPRO
5. NEW BALANCE ATHLETIC SHOES: