Student Reflection: Operations Management and Decision-Making (MBA503)

This report presents a student's critical reflection on their learning experience in an Operations Management and Decision-Making course (MBA503). The student reflects on their evolving understanding of operations management, highlighting the shift from a manufacturing-centric view to its application in the service industry. The report explores the impact of the course on decision-making processes, particularly in the context of supply chain management and strategic diversification. The student discusses the importance of managing operations efficiently and effectively, emphasizing its significance in today's competitive market. Additionally, the report analyzes the impact of group discussions on the student's understanding of operations management and decision-making, including the recognition of alternative solutions and the importance of managerial decisions. The student provides practical examples from their professional experience, illustrating how they applied the concepts learned in the course. This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the student's learning journey and insights into the practical applications of operations management and decision-making principles.

Operations Management and
Decision-Making Models
Student’s Name:
Student’s ID:

1
Change in the Understanding of Operations Management and Decision-Making
I had a common belief that operations management is only essential in the industry of
manufacturing. It is because the industry of manufacturing has to take care of several operations
and processes starting from getting the raw materials until the selling of their products, and
sometimes it is also considered after the sales.
As I progressed through this subject, I came to know that the operations management can be
applied in any industry such as the service industry. The service industry involves different
processes starting from understanding the needs of the customers up to receiving the feedback on
the services. So, I gained knowledge that operations management in the service industry is as
significant as operations management in the industry of manufacturing.
In the past, I believed that decision making is connected with repetitive or occasional solving of
particular issues in areas like planning, scheduling, control, and inventories. The emphasis was
given on analytical solutions of these issues and other methods which involved manipulating the
variables while pursuing the functions such as costs, duration, usage and output (Brown-Liburd,
Issa and Lombardi, 2015).
As I progressed through this subject, I learned that previously broader decision making processes
had been ignored in operations management. Broader decision making processes involves
formulating the overall strategies for the operations along with interconnected areas of
responsibilities with the operations management and taking decisions in these areas with the help
of these strategies.
Application of Operations Management and Decision-Making
The supply chain is one of the processes involved in operation management for transporting and
storing supplies, processing products as well as finished products. For example, as a senior
manager of a fashion organization, I ensured that the organization could source its organic cotton
from several suppliers in multiple nations which monitors the organization. It ensured that that
business is run in ethical and sustainable ways.

2
Decision making is the center of every operation management in an organization. For example,
my workplace, the fashion organization who is well established in the production of clothes
wanted to diversify its business in access to the production of shoes.
The top management was divided into two groups, some wanted to stick to the core business, and
some were excited about the diversification. As a senior manager of the company, I had to take
the final decision, and I decided to favor the diversification for the betterment of the company.
Creating an Increased Awareness of the Importance of Managing Operations
This subject has created increased awareness of the importance of managing operations as I have
learned that operation management is only focused on managing the production processes and
distributing the services and products. It also focuses on transforming the inputs of the
organization in finished products or services.
Operations management is also connected with the running of everyday operations of the
companies efficiently as well as effectively (Lee and Tang, 2017). It is of utmost significance to
all the firms whether they produce goods or deliver services to the clients.
I have also gained knowledge that the significance of managing operations have grown
immensely in the last few years. Shorter life cycles, stiff competition from foreign companies,
quality-conscious and better-educated customers and the arrival of new technology have put
more pressures on the operation of the companies to enhance their productivity and provide best-
quality goods and services.
I also came to know that the managers in the operations management are becoming more tactical
and strategic for satisfying the needs of the customers and making their companies strong
competitors in the global market.
Impact of Group Discussions on Operations Management and Decision-Making
By participating in group discussions, I have gained knowledge that operations management is
administrating the business practices for creating the highest level of effectiveness in a firm. It is
concerned with transforming the labor and materials in products and services as effectively as
possible to increase the profit of the company.

3
By participating in group discussions, I have learned that there can be various possible
alternatives decisions to one issue. There are often several more alternative decisions that we
could choose than we can think. But all these alternatives are considered as most of them are
discarded immediately or not recognized.
I also came to know that it is an essential part of operations management, and every manager
takes thousands of decisions consciously or subconsciously. Decisions are taken for sustaining
all the activities and functions of the business or an organization. This process is an
indispensable and continuously element of managing the activities of a business or an
organization.

4
References
Brown-Liburd, H., Issa, H., and Lombardi, D., 2015. Behavioral implications of Big Data's
impact on audit judgment and decision making and future research directions. Accounting
Horizons, 29(2), pp.451-468.
Lee, H.L., and Tang, C.S., 2017. Socially and environmentally responsible value chain
innovations: New operations management research opportunities. Management Science, 64(3),
pp.983-996.