Dr Natalia Krasnikova

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Management. This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, International Exchange (1 Term) and International Exchange (Full Year). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

This course is not capped, any student that requests a place will be given one.

Operations management is a key function in every organisation. It is concerned with the processes that transform inputs into goods and services. This course introduces students to key concepts and techniques used in operations management, and their practical applications. The course covers a range of topics related to manufacturing and service operations such as operations strategy, sustainability, process design and analysis, supply chains, inventory management, lean operations, and quality control.

Teaching hours in the LT will be commensurate with a usual half unit undergraduate course.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term, in line with departmental policy.

Students are expected to prepare answers to set questions on a weekly basis, and they will receive teacher and peer feedback during the classes. One formative take-home assessment will be set in LT.

Students will also be offered additional support for their summative assignments in preparatory sessions, and they will have the opportunity to ask questions during assessment clinics. 

A selection of essential readings is provided below. For further details, please refer to the full reading list for the course.

• Iansiti, M. & Serels, A. (2013). Operations Strategy. Harvard Business Publishing.

• Whelan, T. & Fink, C. (2016). The Comprehensive Business Case for Sustainability. Harvard Business Review.

• Frei, F.X. (2006). Breaking the trade-off between efficiency and service. Harvard Business Review.

• Fisher, M.L. (1997). What is the right supply chain for your product? Harvard Business Review.

• Spear, S. & Bowen, H.K. (1999). Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System. Harvard Business Review.

Take-home assessment (40%) in the LT.
Take-home assessment (60%) in the ST.

Take-home assessments will be individual assessments.