These companies, which include both manufacturing and service operations, have many common approaches to conducting business. This course provides students with the opportunity to identify common themes among these firms by observing operations managers during on-site visits to outstanding companies in the Greater Boston area. Using these plant tours, in-class material and assigned readings as a foundation, students then prepare a major paper on a mutually agreed upon topic of interest. The course deals with modern approaches to quality management in services and manufacturing. The multidimensional concept of quality is studied to show its pervasive role in product design, production management, vendor selection and management, customer service and marketing.
Case studies are a major component of the course.
In-depth exploration of selected issues and problems in operations management. Specific topics developed based on student and faculty interests.