Assignment

Each student will write an APA style research paper that should be a minimum of 8 double-spaced, typewritten pages, not counting the cover page, citations, pictures and appendices (if used in the paper). The paper will be based on in-depth research of a company to analyze its operational management. The use of subheadings is always helpful in organizing a paper. Student's research paper will automatically be submitted to turnitin.com. Submit final paper to the Drop box

The paper MUST include the following:

1. Executive Summary or Abstract - The Individual research paper should start off with a summary of the key issues and operational recommendations for the organization. It should be kept short and professional - ½ page to one page

2. History/Background - Provide a brief background of the organization describing the market, product/service offered and organizational history.

1, The paper MUST include 4 of the following:

Operational Strategy - should answer the questions:

What is their competitive advantage (cost, quality, availability, flexibility, service)?

What are their core operational competencies? Are these competencies difficult for their competitors to duplicate?

Are the operational elements aligned and do they support the business strategy?

Describe the operational vision for the future of the business, a summary of changes required and an action plan to achieve that vision. Particular attention should be paid to the impact of growth on operations and mechanisms that will help the business grow.

What market risks or competitive threats exist now or in the future? Are there new competitive threats likely from organizations from other industries or geographic markets?

If applicable, how are they integrating their goods and services?

Production & operating procedures- should answer the questions:

Describe how goods are produced or services provided from start to finish and how value is created. (Open System Theory or Operations Management Process Model)

How long does it take to produce the product or provide the service? Do they have sufficient capacity?

What systems do they use to analyze and improve process performance?

What unique or special processes are used? Do these create competitive advantage?

Technology and Automation - should answer the questions:

What information technologies do they use and do they provide competitive advantage?

Do they utilize an Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, or Master Scheduling system?

Do they have a web presence?

Do they use automation (robots, automatic telephone answering systems, etc.)? What are the impacts of automation?

Quality - Continuous Quality Management (CQM) - should answer the questions:

Do they have a formal program to improve quality? If yes, what & How?

Do they have a TQM, CQM, or Six Sigma program? If yes, what have they done as a part of that program(s)?

What are their quality standards and do they set their quality standards?

Manufacturing firm- should answer the questions:

How do they monitor the quality of their goods and services - Be specific?

Supply Chain Management - should answer the questions:

What critical issues do they face with their supply chain?

How will the supply chain have to evolve in the future to support the business?

Should they be more or less vertically, horizontally integrated into the future?

Inventory Control - should answer the questions:

What kind of items do they carry in inventory?

Does the firm have a surplus? Or a deficit, explain?

Describe what types of inventory management systems are used and why?

Delivery & Customer Service - should answer the questions:

What is being done to minimize delivery time?

What distribution channels are being used and how are they providing strategic advantage?

Do they provide after-sales support?

What are they doing to manage customer expectations?

Costs - should answer the questions:

Give details of the product/service cost make-up?

What are the major initiatives to reduce costs or increase value for the same cost?

What are the tradeoffs between cost and the other competitive priorities?

2, The paper MUST include the following:

12 Recommendations - This should be the last part of the Research Paper:

Provide a clear and concise set of recommendations to address the areas that need improvement based on your critical analysis of the company's operations, their competitors, and the ‘best-in-class' companies. Your recommendations should provide the company with a blueprint for action including an effective implementation plan and an assessment of the associated risks involved, written in third person APA format.

13. Reference Page - The references must be in APA Format. Refer to this link for additional information on APA formatting and referencing.