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Home » Course Catalogue » MBA Electives » RSM2406H – Operations Management Strategy

RSM2406H – Operations Management Strategy

General Information

Instructor(s)

Applicable Major(s):
(c) = Core, (r) = Recommended

  • Consulting (r)
  • Process and Supply Chain Management (c)

Description

Operations Management Strategy (Ops Strat) is a multidisciplinary course for students aspiring to leadership positions where thinking strategically, making sound decisions with limited data and devising and executing solid implementation plans spells the difference between average and outstanding executive ability. Ops Strat integrates the concepts, tools and practices of operations with competitive strategy, customer focus, innovation, change management and other goals such as sustainability — linchpins of firms’ competitiveness.

Specifically, students will learn how an effective operations strategy creates an integrated set of operational capabilities that, as evidenced by diverse firms across multiple industries become a formidable source of competitive advantage that competitors must try to emulate (but will be unable to achieve). During the Pandemic, we have witnessed how organizations with high levels of agility and operational flexibility have been able to sustain and even build value during times of extreme stress, and we will examine this in our discussions.

Furthermore, students will examine the role and measurement plays in successfully executing strategy in light of changing circumstances.

Format

The course is conducted in six sessions on consecutive Fridays. Interactive discussion is a key component of the course and the Class Participation score will reflect each student’s contribution to the class.

Course Mission

Operations Management Strategy’s mission is for the course to be a powerful learning experience, one that enables students to achieve major gains in their ability to recognize, understand, and make decisions about operations-critical issues and opportunities.

Course Scope

The course builds on the concepts, terminology and tools in the core operations course, focusing on the trade-offs involved in strategic issues that play a defining role in how a firm competes.

Classes involve discussion of operations’ role in specific businesses and the challenges faced by the firms being studied, including underlying factors, the pros and cons of available options, and implementation considerations.

Evaluation and Grade Distribution

ComponentDue DateWeight
Class ParticipationOngoing20%
Group Case Write-Ups2-3 submissions20%
Group Case Presentation1 evaluation20%
Final ExamTake-home case due 2 weeks after the course ends40%

Required Resources

Course materials will be available through Quercus links.

Last Updated: 2021-06-15 @ 10:40 am