OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT;COURSE ASSESSMENT 2

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT;COURSE ASSESSMENT 2 1. Assignments should be typed, 10 or 11 point font size (Times Roman or similar if possible) double spaced with a 4 cm margin on the right side of the page with the page size specified as UK A4. All pages must be numbered. 2. Assignments should be submitted in either Microsoft Office and/or PDF format (.doc, .docx, .pdf etc.). File names should be kept simple and only contain alphanumeric characters (a-z0-9), spaces and underscores (e.g. Valid_filename_1.doc). Files with other characters such as apostrophes, brackets or commas may not be accessible by markers. 3. Assignments may be uploaded only once; substitutions are not permitted and students should therefore ensure that the version uploaded is their final submission. 4. Please ensure you include your student number and the assignment reference (OPM/Student Number/Jan15/2) in all submitted assignments and that assignments are paginated. Failure to do this may lead either to a grade not being assigned or being wrongly assigned 5. If you are experiencing any difficulty in uploading your assignment to Blackboard, please email a copy of the assignment and a screenshot of the error message immediately to your local centre/Student Adviser. IMPORTANT: ALWAYS RETAIN A COPY OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT WARNING: Once submitted no substitute assignments will be allowed Please ensure you include your student number and the assignment reference (OPM/Student Number/Jan15/2) in all submitted assignments and that assignments are paginated. Failure to do this may lead either to a grade not being assigned or being wrongly assigned OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT COURSE ASSESSMENT 2 ONLY TO BE SUBMITTED BY STUDENTS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP Assignment Question: Required: Select a core process from the operations function where you are currently employed and critically examine the challenges facing its operations manager(s) in terms of balancing the efficiency and effectiveness of this process. Make recommendations for improvement as appropriate. If you are unemployed, at present, you may select a previous employer. Assignment Instructions: ?? This is an individual piece of work and it must not be communicated to other students in any way whatsoever. ?? This assignment makes up 30% of the overall grade for this course. ?? The account of your selected organisation should not be too lengthy; of more importance are relevant references to the literature, and demonstration of your critical faculties in weighing theory against practice. You must focus on the Operations Function and not the Supply Chain. ?? Your assignment answer must be grounded in an appropriate theoretical framework and show evidence of comprehensive original research (minimum 4 academic sources in addition to the core text book) into the subject matter. You are expected to provide insight and argument and not simply provide a description of the subject matter. ?? You should draw on concepts and theories discussed in Operations and Process Management, Principles and Practice for Strategic Impact, 3rd edition, 2012, Slack, Brandon-Jones, Johnston, Betts, FT Prentice Hall, your module Study Guide, and from your wider reading and research to support your analysis and justify your critical factors and recommendations. You should only employ credible research sources. I suggest you consult the MBS Library Service section in your Course Welcome Documents for information on a wide range of information resources and services (e.g. Harvard Business Review). You may also find the following links useful: Please ensure you include your student number and the assignment reference (OPM/Student Number/Jan15/2) in all submitted assignments and that assignments are paginated. Failure to do this may lead either to a grade not being assigned or being wrongly assigned http://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/content.php?pid=367728&sid=3246461 Databases – http://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/content.php?pid=367728&sid=3810471 My learning essentials - http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/academicsupport/mylearningessentials/ ?? The absolute maximum word count for this assignment is 2,000 words +/-10% (excluding diagrams, figures, tables and references) and you may be penalised if you exceed this limit. The assignment must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Submissions using pdf, etc. may be returned to students. ?? Assignments should have a logical and coherent structure and be well presented. It is essential that you properly attribute all quotes, ideas, models, frameworks etc. that you include in your discussion and analysis. This includes any material that you may download from internet sources. Full references must be given for all sources using only the Harvard Referencing Convention. Before commencing your assignment you must read UML: Essential Guide to the Harvard System of Referencing, which is available on Blackboard. ?? Details of submission dates can be found on Blackboard. Helpful Assignment Hints: ?? To achieve a top grade of 70% plus your assignment must be well structured and logically developed with concise and comprehensive identification of the issues. It will express original reasoned arguments and demonstrate critical thinking based on clear insight, knowledge, and understanding by reviewing and critiquing a wide range of appropriate material. ?? A very good assignment scoring between 60-69% will respond directly to the question with a clear and convincing argument. Will demonstrate an awareness of the issues involved in the question and blends conceptual awareness with reference to research sources and appropriate examples. It will be coherently organised, contain discussion and analysis rather than description or narration. ?? A poorly developed assignment, scoring less than 50% could show some awareness of the relevant material and subject matter but does not demonstrate a sufficient depth of understanding and/or is limited in the extent to which assumptions, theories and beliefs are challenged. ?? Pay attention to feedback from earlier assignments.