Understanding Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

This study material provides an in-depth understanding of operations, logistics, and supply chain management. It covers topics such as managing quality, managing people in operation and supply chains, and the triple bottom line. The content is based on a case study of King George Hospital in London, UK. Recommended for students studying operations and supply chain management.

Understanding
Operations, Logistics
and Supply Chain
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................1
Managing quality....................................................................................................................1
Managing people in operation and supply chains..................................................................4
Triple bottom line...................................................................................................................6
Recommendations..................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Management of supply chain together with the logistic and operation is associate with
effectively and efficiently coordinating and organising all material flow, activities and employees
starting from the point of origin till the end point of consumption (Mangla, 2019). Thus, the main
aim of logistic, operation and supply chain management is to ensure free flow and smooth
operations through timely procurement of resources and managing a coordination between
supply and demand of product in order to maximize the profit and performance of an
organisation. This assignment is based on King George Hospital which is a NHS hospital
situated at Barley lane, London, UK. This report emphasis on important areas of managing
operation, logistic and supply chain that are necessary to improve performance of an
organisation. This report consists a description about managing quality and managing people in
operation and supply chain together with evaluation of triple bottom line and recommendations.
Main Body
Management of quality and people of an organisation is important ad necessary for an
organisation to provide better quality product and services to its customers. A proper
coordinating and organisation of all activities and individuals is crucial and vital to ensure
smooth function and better performance of a company or firm (Olaogbebikan and Oloruntoba,
2019). King George Hospital is basically a modern local hospital situated at Barley lane, London
and providing excellent acute and rehabilitation services to its customers in order to meet the
needs of the residents of Redbridge and Barking through facilitating a first class planned care
centre that is serving many people. Thus, in order to maintain its goodwill and enhance its
performance level together with better expansion and growth level it become essential for King
George Hospital to focus on its quality and managing people to provide higher satisfaction to its
clients and patients (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). Thus, a description about various theories and
strategies associated with managing people in operation and supply chain together with
management of quality is provided below in context of King George Hospital.
Managing quality
Management of quality is essential for an organisation to attract larger number of
customers through fulfilling their needs and yielding better and higher satisfaction to them. King
George Hospital is operating in a service sector and have the responsibility of ensuring better
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health and protection of its patients thus, it become essential for this organisation to have
continuous improvement and betterment in its quality to ensure better performance and growth
of organisation through attracting and satisfying larger number of customers (Zijm and et. al.,
2019). Thus, description and critical review of various theories and strategies are provided below
that are helpful for King George Hospital to ensure continuous improvement in its quality to
have better performance.
Total quality management
It is most commonly used theory for quality management which is mainly associated with
a continuous process of detecting, reducing and eliminating all possible errors from
manufacturing, supply chain and other operations to improve overall customers experience and
performance of organisation (Bouranta and et. al., 2019). The main principles and concept
associated with Total quality management approach that could be applied by King George
Hospital to have improvement in management of quality and its performance are described
below:
Customer Focus- The main focus of TQM approach is on satisfying needs and desires of
customers who are the ultimate consumer of a product and services. Thus, King George Hospital
must make efforts to evaluate and find out the needs and desires of customer preset in its target
market so that a suitable services and better quality facilities can be provided to them to cater
larger customer which ensure high performance level.
Employee’s involvement- The another crucial approach of TQM strategy is associated
with due involvement and participation of all employees in quality management that ensures a
culture and atmosphere of continuous improvement in organisation (Sweis, Obeidat and Kanaan,
2019). Thus, King George Hospital should also adopt TQM approach to ensure effective
participation of all employees in quality management objective to have better results. Further,
timely training could also be provided by King George Hospital to ensure better skills and
competencies in its employees to achieve the target of improvement in quality together with
better performance.
Integrated system- TQM approach also emphasis on setting proper coordination and
integration among all units and functional system of an organisation thus, lead to better detection
and elimination of error through facilitating a check and monitoring all functional areas. Through
adopting TQM strategy it become easy for King George Hospital to find out the loop hole and
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defects in its functional units that are hampering overall coordination and management of
business activities (Nguyen and Nagase, 2019). Thus, insures timely corrective action to have
proper coordination and integration among all functional and operational system of King George
Hospital that facilitates overall improvement in qualify through smooth functioning and enhance
performance of organisation.
Fact based decision making- This principle of TQM is focused on fact based and more
scientific decision making that lead to effective strategy formulation and plans to achieve the
target of better quality management. Thus, implication of TQM approach by King George
Hospital ensures better management of quality and high performance through emphasis on
scientific and fact based decision making (Henrique and Godinho Filho, 2020).
In accordance with above critical review and analysis of discussion about principles of
TQM it can be evaluated that this theory ensures better quality management and performance for
King George Hospital through emphasising on needs and demands of customer so that a better
and more suitable service can be provided. Further, involvement of all employees and integrated
system lead to creation of culture of continuous quality improvement in King George Hospital
that lead to better performance and higher efficiency through coordination of all activities and
individual. Beside this, fact based decision making also facilitates effective strategy formulation
and plans for King George Hospital to achieve the target of quality management and better
performance.
Six Sigma
It is a management tool or approach that intend on improving quality and efficiency of
business processes through reducing the probability of error and defects in business operations
and activity (Stamatis, 2019). Six Sigma approach provide better customer satisfaction and
enhance performance of organisation though properly defining and analysing current activities to
have improvement in its business operations. The main principles of Six Sigma, application of
which ensures better management of quality and improvement in performance are discussed
below in context of King George Hospital:
Define- It is foremost step where actual and desired level of quality is described by an
organisation according to the preference and needs of customers (Six Sigma Principles, 2020).
Being associated with the health and safety purpose, it become essential for King George
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Hospital to provide a better quality product and services to its customers so that target of better
performance can be achieved.
Measure- At this stage the current performance and quality level is evaluated by
organisation to get a better understanding about the current performance. It has been measured
by King George Hospital that the technology that is used by this organisation is little outdated
and need modification to achieve better performance.
Analysis- This principle is related with analysis and review of business operation in order
to find out the actual cause of issue. Use of this, principles facilitates better tool for King George
Hospital to analysis main cause behind the issues faced by this organisation so that timely steps
can be taken to improve its quality and performance (Singh and Rathi, 2019).
Improvement- This the principle of six sigma that emphasis on actual execution of plans
and strategies made for achieving the target of improvement and betterment in quality and
performance. Adoption of Six Sigma thus, facilitates better execution of strategy by King George
Hospital to have implication of latest technology together with providing training to its
employees to ensures improvement in their skill to achieve the target of better quality and
performance.
Control- For continuous improvement and maintain the goof quality level it is necessary
to have proper check and control over business activities. Thus, adoption of Six Sigma approach
by King George Hospital facilitates a better monitoring and check on all business activities that
improve their efficiency thus, insures better management of quality and performance with the
help of effective controlling measures (Stamatis, 2019).
With respect to above discussion it can be evaluated that implication of Six sigma
approach is an effective way for King George Hospital to improve management of quality tighter
with better performance through properly defining, analysing and measuring current
performance so that defects can be timely identified. Further, proper execution, improvement
process and control is also facilitated by Six sigma that ensure better perforce for King George
Hospital through timely corrective action for improvement in quality.
Managing people in operation and supply chains
Workforce and manpower are the greatest asset and resources of an organisation that plays
a crucial role in success and better performance. Thus, management of people in operation and
supply chain is essential and vital to ensure proper coordination among all activities to achieve
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the target of better performance (García-Villarreal, Bhamra and Schoenheit, 2019). The
strategies and theories that can be adopted by King George Hospital to ensure better management
of people in operation and supply chain are discussed below:
Contingency management theory- This theory emphasis on the fact the there is no best
theory or way of organising or managing employees of an organisation instead changes must be
made in its leadership and management style according to the prevailing situation to ensure
better organisation and management of people (8 Tips for Managing Your Team Effectively,
2020). Thus, adoption if this theory by King George Hospital ensures better management and
organisation of people working in the operation and supply chain through facilitating a better
understanding about current situation. An effective understanding of prevailing situation ensures
design of better strategies that facilitates better management of employees through setting a
coordination between motivation level and desired performance (Jia, Gong and Brown, 2019).
Thus, adoption of contingent theory by King George Hospital ensures better motivation in
employees through ensuring proper guidance and direction as per current situation that led to
more organised workforce and ensure betterment in performance through leading efficiency in
operation and supply chain. For instance, at the time of conflict between people of operations
and supply chain, use of situational leadership style can be made by managers and leaders of
King George Hospital to have better evaluation of current situation so that conflict can be
resolved through reaching at a mutual decision and solution. Thus, contingent management
theory ensures better management and coordination of people in operation and supply chain.
Effective communication- The another strategy that can be adopted by King George
Hospital to ensure better management of people in operation and supply chain as effective
communication lead to creation of better coordination (Mangla, 2019). Further, a two way
communication also reduce the chances of chaos and confusion that enhance efficiency and
performance level of employees. Effective communication also ensures timely feedback form
people thus, corrective action can be taken by mangers and leaders of King George Hospital to
ensure better management of people. Adoption of effective communication ensures a process of
exchanging ideas, thoughts, knowledge and information among the people working in operation
and supply chain so that purpose or intention of people can be easily fulfilled in the best possible
manner that ensures better motivation in employees thus, facilitates better coordination between
supply and demand of product. Therefore, it can be evaluated that effective communication
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within the King George Hospital ensure better management of people in operation and supply
chain through leading reduction in chances of chaos and conflicts hat also enhance their
performance and viability.
On the basis of above discussion it can be evaluated that implication of contingent
management theory lead to better motivation and guidance for people according to prevailing
situation thus, ensures better management of people in operation and supply chain of King
George Hospital (Olaogbebikan and Oloruntoba, 2019). Further, effective communication
ensures reduction in chaos and conflicts and also eliminates chances of misunderstanding among
people of operation and supply chain thus, ensures better management and coordination that
facilitates improvement in performance of King George Hospital.
Triple bottom line
It is basically a framework or theory that emphasis and focus on social, environmental and
economical factors of a business organisation that consists of three main elements that must be
focused by an organisation while operating in its business environment. The main components
and elements of triple bottom line are evaluated below in context of King George Hospital:
Social responsibility- It is associated with providing and focusing on benefits and needs of
whole society that includes customers, employees, suppliers and associated stakeholders.
Fulfilment of corporate social responsibility is an effective way that can be King George
Hospital to meet its social responsibility (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). Further, as King George
Hospital is dealing in services sector it is having more responsibilty to provide a better
atmosphere to its customers and patients to fulfil its social role together with offering better
motivation and working environment for its employees.
Environment Protection- This aspect of triple bottom line is concerned with protection
and conservation of environment thus, emphasis on sustainable development. King George
Hospital should adopt such business practices and functions that limit carbon emission and other
hazardous substance in environment together with reducing use of plastic matters and other
harmful substances to ensure fulfilment of its responsibility for protection of environment.
Economic profits- This factor is concerned with meeting needs and demands of
stakeholders that are mainly concerned with maximization of profit. Thus, King George Hospital
needs to have improvement in its quality to provide better product and services to enhance its
productivity and profit margin (Zijm and et. al., 2019).
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Recommendations
On the basis of evaluation of above theories and strategies following recommendations
can be made for King George Hospital to have improvement in its performance:
 Implication of Total quality management is recommended for King George Hospital as it
facilitates improve met in quality through emphasising on needs and demands of
customers. Beside this, it also lead to integration among system and participation of all
staff that ensures a culture of continuous improvement together with fact based and
scientific decision making that plays a crucial role in success and better performance of
King George Hospital.
 Adoption of contingent management theory together with effective communication is
also suitable for King George Hospital as it facilitates better management of people
according to prevailing circumstances that enhance their viability and performance.
Further, it also ensures reduction in chaos and confusion and facilitates better motivation
level in people that will ultimately enhance performance of King George Hospital.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above assignment it can be concluded that quality management together
with managing people of operation and supply chain is important for an organisation as it
facilitates improvement in its performance and success. Quality management theory like TQM
ensures emphasis in needs of customers together with proper involvement and participation of all
employees that lead to creation of quality culture within the organisation thus, enhances its
performance. Further, it can be concluded that effective communication reduce chances of
confusion and chaos thus, lead to better management of people in operation and supply chain.
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Bouranta, N and et. al., 2019. The key factors of total quality management in the service sector:
A cross-cultural study. Benchmarking: An International Journal.
García-Villarreal, E., Bhamra, R. and Schoenheit, M., 2019. Critical success factors of medical
technology supply chains. Production Planning & Control. 30(9). pp.716-735.
Henrique, D. B. and Godinho Filho, M., 2020. A systematic literature review of empirical
research in Lean and Six Sigma in healthcare. Total Quality Management & Business
Excellence. 31(3-4). pp.429-449.
Jia, F., Gong, Y. and Brown, S., 2019. Multi-tier sustainable supply chain management: The role
of supply chain leadership. International Journal of Production Economics. 217. pp.44-
63.
Mangla, S. K., 2019. Green supply chains and environmental benchmarking–implications for
emerging economies. Management of Environmental Quality.
Meredith, J. R. and Shafer, S. M., 2019. Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.
Wiley.
Nguyen, T. L. H. and Nagase, K., 2019. The influence of total quality management on customer
satisfaction. International Journal of Healthcare Management. 12(4). pp.277-285.
Olaogbebikan, J. E. and Oloruntoba, R., 2019. Similarities between disaster supply chains and
commercial supply chains: A SCM process view. Annals of Operations Research. 283(1-
2). pp.517-542.
Singh, M. and Rathi, R., 2019. A structured review of Lean Six Sigma in various industrial
sectors. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma.
Stamatis, D. H., 2019. Six Sigma fundamentals: A complete introduction to the system, methods,
and tools. CRC Press.
Sweis, R., Obeidat, B. and Kanaan, R. K., 2019. Reviewing the Literature on Total Quality
Management and Organizational Performance. Journal of Business & Management
(COES&RJ-JBM). 7(3). pp.192-215.
Zijm, H.and et. al., 2019. Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Definitions and
Objectives. In Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (pp. 27-42).
Springer, Cham.
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8 Tips for Managing Your Team Effectively. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/manage-team-effectively/ >.
Six Sigma Principles. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.graphicproducts.com/articles/six-sigma-principles/ >.
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