Assignment

Part 1: Operations Function in the Organization Structure

Operations are an important management function in an organization. The role of operations management changes as companies react to the business environment.

Using the ABC University online library resources and valid Internet sites, search for an organizational chart of a manufacturing, service, or technology company looking specifically for one that shows a change in the operations function. Typically, such charts can be found in published annual reports of public companies.

Based on your analysis of the chart, respond to the following:

• Identify the components of the operations function in the organizational structure of the company.

• Review the annual reports over the past three years and see how the operations management function has changed.

• Examine the financial reports to understand the competitive and market challenges the organization is facing and then analyze the importance of operations in the organization.

• Explore how the organizational function has evolved to keep pace with the changing competitive and business landscape.

• If possible, identify an event that caused the organization to change the role of the operations function in the organizational structure and offer an explanation of how the new operational function is better suited to compete in the current business environment.

January 12, 2017, post your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area.

Part 2: Logistics Management as a Sustainable Differentiator

In today's global competitive environment, organizations are trying to leverage efficiencies in their supply chain to drive down costs, reduce inventories, and grow their operating margins as they seek to deliver increased value to their consumers. Many companies have tried to create efficient supply chains as a way create sustainable differentiators in the global business environment.

Using the ABC University online library resources and valid Internet sites, research an organization in the manufacturing, retail, service, or technology industry that has undertaken special efforts to enhancing its supply chain.

Based on your research, respond to the following:

• Discuss the efforts the organization has made to increase collaboration with its supply chain partners in an attempt to create value.

• What kind of advantage has this created for the organization? Can the company sustain the advantage to generate a long-term differentiation from its competitors?

• Why has this organization succeeded or failed in effectively leveraging its supply chain efficiencies into a sustainable differentiator?

• Base your analysis on published scholarly articles and not just your own opinions.

January 16, 2017, post your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area.

Write your initial response in 300-500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Part 3: Supply Chain

Managing a business supply chain involves maximizing the flow of materials and information from raw materials to finished product. The strategy for carrying out individual components of the process is affected by and may be changed due to many things including industry, current product life cycle stage, production and delivery costs, product profitability, and competition. For example, a company in the manufacturing industry could build a second warehouse closer to its customers if delivery costs increased. An example in the service industry would be a restaurant changing vendors due to increased material costs.

In this assignment, you will identify the supply chain process and strategy for the operations of a business from either the service industry or manufacturing industry.

Using the module readings, the ABC University online library resources, and the Internet, address the following:

• Identify a product or service and assess the location where the company offers it in the supply chain. Define the stage in the product life cycle.

• Develop a questionnaire with 10-12 questions that will allow you to do the following:

o Explain what the company does to protect its business and manage risks.

o Analyze cost savings by determining the return on investment (ROI) for one product offered by the company.

o Identify the company's competitors and determine who owns what market share for the product.

o Evaluate how the company manages production or delivery of service.

• Defend your choice of questions and support your selection with scholarly articles.

Your final product will include two deliverables. In addition to submitting your questionnaire, submit a 2-3-page paper in Word format. Include a minimum of three scholarly articles to complete your research. Your writing should be clear, concise, and organized. Demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of resources. Display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

January 20, 2017, deliver your assignment.