Operations Management Research Synthesis

This assignment requires students to synthesize research on various aspects of operations management. It delves into topics such as lean manufacturing, agile manufacturing, sales and operations planning (S&OP), globalization's impact, customer and technology orientations, and the relationship between innovation capabilities, export performance, and firm performance. Students are expected to analyze provided literature and present a well-structured synthesis of the key findings and insights related to these operational management themes.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
Background.................................................................................................................................1
Aims of Research........................................................................................................................4
Methodology/ Design..................................................................................................................4
Plan for execution.......................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1................................................................................................................................................8
2.2................................................................................................................................................8
2.3................................................................................................................................................8
3.1..............................................................................................................................................10
3.2..............................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16
......................................................................................................................................................18

TASK 1
1. Show understanding in formulating research specification
Introduction
Research is regarded as a main part throughout of the research specification. Under this
research places me as an investigator and under this first thing is that I have do this in context to
preparing as research proposal which is related with the particular area of the business. Under
this, research report is based on the research proposal. Under my research, I will collect relevant
and accurate data or information which will provide me the study on the behaviour of consumers
in an effective manner (Chang and Wong, 2010). Regarding my project, I select TESCO
business firm because I am the loyal as well as faithful consumer of this firm, so in regards to
this, my research proposal is on the retail sector in United Kingdom and TESCO company is
specific. In addition to this, the question of research is ‘TESCO- Performance of sales and
operations’. In this, my choice is clarified through my abilities as well as skills of measuring
needs and wants of organisation of TESCO business organisation. This investigation be
completed by providing some of the recommendation in context to rise development of its tasks
and activities.
Background
TESCO company is a largest seller in retail sector in United Kingdom country and it also
shows a necessary an international food retailer. This business organisation was established in
year 1919 at the time when Jack Cohen started to sell the vegetables as well as fruits from stand
at market place in London city. On his first day, he earned more money and from the sell of £4
his profit was £1. IN the time period of last five years, Mr. Jack Cohen buy tea batch from the
Mr. T.E Stockwell. And after some time he used to write name of his seller in the letter game by
using in the setting of TESCO company as a name (Flynn, Huo and Zhao, 2010). This name was
introduced with the help of mix some initials and those are ‘T’, ‘E’ and ‘S’ of seller and from the
first two letter of the surname ‘CO’ and made TESCO. This company opened its first tore in
Burn Oak, North London. In year 1930's, brand of TESCO was continued to increase so in
context to this Mr. Jack Cohen decided that he would build an attractive storehouse in north
London. But in the year 1932, TESCO business firm was became the private limited organisation
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and from the past years its retail market in top and on the other hand the price of this company
share is 25p.
This business firm regularly increasing its profit level and also capture the large market
share in retail sector. Profit level of this company was growing every year. TESCO firm deals in
the grocery store at starting, but after some time period, this firm spread its business in all overt
the word in large market. TESCO company has influence in the petrol business (Hillier, 2012).
In the business of petrol involving small expediencies and also retailing of the petrol by TESCO
Express fascia. The outlets of its small high street via TESCO Metro, super centres by the
TESCO Extra and non-food experts by TESCO Home plus.
The financial services of this company do exist by personal finance of TESCO and its online
delivery of its products as well as services. The new services of this company gives a value to
firm in order to increase profit level. The performance of this business firm is at high level and
also reach at the high level in the sector of retail. It provides better quality of products as well as
services to consumers for satisfying their needs and demands in an effective or better manner.
IN previous few years, it was observed by TESCO company that there was large number of
concerns related to its sales, performance level and more important its business operations
(Hortinha, Lages and Filipe Lages, 2011). If in case, we want to analyse the performance of last
some years then we noticed that the financial performance of TESCO company reached in 2016
normal after having some downfall in past years. Under this profit of TESCO was increased and
also having better revenue after investment of an organisation towards needs and wants of
consumers in an effective or proper manner.
I select an effective figure which is helpful in understanding financial performance as
well as profit rate in order to enhancing more profit in a systematic manner. The main objective
of TESCO is to develop more profit and amplify an importance of all the stakeholders.
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On the basis of given picture that there was many financial downs and ups by years of
2010-2015, when this business firm has two CEOs which are not very much effective and
flexible in working. In context to this, manager of TESCO business organisation set some
approached as well as develop plan in order to attain business objectives with in a given period
of time. If firm will perform in a well or proper manner then from this, TESCO company can get
the competitive advantage at market place (Ingram and et. al., 2012). It is necessary for TESCO
to observe or notice its fiscal investments which are necessary to ensure about profit. This firm
need to put in to a practice various strategies for the purpose of get over from all issues as well as
problems which are arise at workplace in a proper and systematic manner (Inman and et. al.,
2011). The main aim of this research specification is to assess in developing and also conducting
proper research on all issues and facts to be determines through reviewing activities or tasks of
an organisation of TESCO business organisation in a proper way.
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Aims of Research
Aim means that where business will needs to go in future. There are some aims are given
below related with specific research:
 To determine all methods by which TESCO business firm able to carried out in order to
make improvement in its business operations, enhancing sales and also give the better
and effective performance level (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014).
 To measure financial as well as business performance level of TESCO.
 To determine methodology to put in to a practice of plan in order to collecting
appropriate and accurate information and data to present or give suggestions and advice
regarding TESCO business firm in the retail sector.
Methodology/ Design
After setting up all aims related to the specific research then it is necessary to see that in
what manner these all aims can achieve. Regarding this, it is necessary that research should
collect the relevant data or information. The research methodology is a necessary part of the
research when it is related with research project and description or explanation of appropriate or
correct methods, we can collect applicable and accurate data or information on business firm.
An effective way of the workings and also process will helpful in make the solution of all
problems which are detected in an organisation.
This existing work is depend on the work of research and it will collect with the helps of
secondary and primary data. In context to this, secondary data or information will be gathered
because it is easy to understand want the other people have written already regarding this
research topic and also learn something from the information which are based on that (Masulis,
Wang and Xie, 2012). In context to TESCO organisation, I will able to make improvements
about my antecedents which found. In context to this, I will use various online sites, articles,
books, journals of TESCO and also some other sources. On the other hand, primary data will
collect from employers of TESCO and for this reason I select give managers because from this
they all can deliver or provide me accurate and effective information or data regarding an
organization and information will be based on the knowledge of those five managers. The
information and data f primary source is fresh and not used by any other o persons. In context to
this, data will gathered with the help of questionnaire on which some questions are mentions
related with the particular research topic. As I mentioned previously that, there are two different
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kinds of data collection method and these are qualitative and quantitative. Both are the effective
and also better methods (Menguc, Auh and Ozanne, 2010). In the qualitative method of data
collection, data should be of good quality and also take in to an account of collecting data or
information with the help of using the questionnaire which can be provides to chosen number of
the respondents in order to collect functional data or information. On the other hand in
quantitative method, data is proper and also measure in terms of numbers.
In context to this, secondary source will be determines critically for the purpose of bring
some relevant and accurate data or information which are require to give effective advice and
suggestions in this context. On the questionnaire, there are many questions are mentioned related
with research topic. In this questionnaire will containing some relevant questions related to age
profession which are come in the demographic questions and on that there are some questions
mentions related to operations and performance level of TESCO business firm at the market
place.
Plan for execution
Under this, there is a requirement of plan which are able to put all things in to the
practices so that plan will be set up for the four weeks (Mollenkopf, Frankel and Russo, 2011). It
will take in to a considerations to respondents that I select for questionnaire, managers as well as
staff members and also their emotions. In context to this, primary data is very effective and it
will be helpful in proving more relevant and accurate data or information, researcher gathered
questions with many choices from which respondents need to select a single relevant answer.
In addition to this, an implementation process of plan, collection of data and information
will help in the assembling a necessary recommendation as well as information delivered which
are on the outcomes basis. So, time frame which are need to achieving the work of entire
research and the aims will need to execute planning, so that the research will be complete with in
a specific time period. In regarding to this, Gantt chart are given below as above:
An investigation concerning
about the research subject
which is founded on TESCO
company situations and
regarding this prepare a
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summary related to sales
information and background of
TESCO.
Main focus is on the aims of
research which can be
assessing in order to certifying
process of data collection in a
proper or correct direction.
With the help of questionnaire,
researcher need to collect the
primary data from selected
respondents.
Helpful in accumulated
information and data with the
help of using the statistical
tools and techniques, pie
charts, tables and then
interpreting for the better
understanding.
Finish research proposal with
provide relevant and accurate
recommendation to those
issues or problems which are
detected.
Conclusion
It has been concluded from the above given report that process of data collection
completed for TESCO under this research project. IN this, I found that profit level of TESCO
business firm is more high in the recent years. The financial performance of this company is high
in retail sector because it provides wide range of quality products for satisfying the needs and
demands of consumers in an effective manner. Regarding an operations management, there are
some issues or problems which are determined in TESCO company and these all issues impact
badly on the sales as will as financial performance. In operation management involves delivery
system, stock managing system and also the supply chain. These all elements of operational
management are helpful in making the business successful.
Under this it will be concluded with some suggestions or can say recommendations
regarding issues and also problems of the operation management of TESCO business firm. In
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order to make some improvement, there is a improvement rooms by which TESCO business firm
acquires all the practices of operations in a better manner. TESCO should involves:
 Execute innovative technology for making business better.
 Incorporate or provide effective quality of products or services with adding some value
in context to enhance or gain the competitive advantage at the market place.
 Involves the more non- food items.
 Enhancing the mobility and also flexibility through executing an innovative and creative
stock system.
I am expecting that from the above given recommendations can be helpful in producing
as well as improving the performance quality of TESCO by effective and systematic operation
manages as well as sales management in order to enhancing sales and profit level.
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TASK 2
LO2: Execution of research project within agreed procedures and to specification
2.1
Research question
‘What are problems in the operation management of TESCO business firm?’
Under this, questions of the research should be described by accumulating the primary method of
data collection from practical sources and by pragmatic basis. It is necessary that the research
questions should be related with that information and data which is provided under this study.
2.2
In this, method which is used in questionnaire and regarding collection of TESCO data
was gathered with the help of primary data (Nawanir Kong Teong and Norezam Othman, 2013).
The data and information should be measured with the help of various statistical table and tools,
pie charts and also the graphs. In context to this, there is a qualitative data collection which will
be helpful in perform by incorporating of give different questions related to retail industry for
managers.
Validity was checked through conducting the two personal interviews which are based on
questionnaire before the main interviews. The main purpose of these interviews to search that in
what questionnaire will be prepared and what respondents feel at the time of fill that given
questionnaire. It is necessary that researcher should prepare an effective strategy about collecting
the data. Strategies and policies are to assure the information of all respondents will be
confidential and their data will also be protected (Oliva and Watson, 2011). It is necessary that
on questionnaire name of person should not be mentioned.
Under this, questionnaire was prepared to take the feedback for the long time period
because we do not want that our all respondents get board and give answers without any
thinking.
2.3
Facts which will be collected from the thirty staff members specially those employees
which are working in TESCO company in more than the five years.
An Information and data both will be register in making a because. It is necessary that
data should be secure and safe not disclosed in front of general public (Papadopoulos and Martín,
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2010). We make sure that all information and data which we collected from selected respondents
can used in future context. In this, questionnaire will be given in context to clear and better
understanding. Under this study, analyze of quantitative information and data will be displayed.
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LO 3: Evaluation of research outcomes
3.1
An evaluation technique of research will b numerical and also statistical tools by which
accumulated data and information will analyzed. From this effective and better outcomes will be
acquired by researcher. During maintaining ethics, it is necessary for researcher to use research
techniques. The research techniques are displayed in context to deliver a reliability of data and
information.
3.2
Data which is collected through primary sources will displayed by the graphs, pie- charts
and also tables of questions for 100 respondents which are give below:
1) Does TESCO firm has strong operation management?
Answer No. of respondents
Agree 40
Strongly agree 30
Disagree 10
Neutral 15
Agree Strongly agree Disagree Neutral
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
No. of respondents
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Interpretation- 40% and 30% are agree from this, 15% people are not sure about this
and also 10% people are dissatisfied.
2) Are you agree that the TESCO company earned more profit in year 2016 because of its
operational strategies?
Category Number of
respondents
Total number of
respondents
Percentage %
Agree 40 100 40.00%
Strongly agree 25 100 25.00%
Disagree 20 100 20.00%
Strongly Disagree 15 100 15.00%
Agree
Strongly agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Number of respondents
Total number of respondents
Percentage %
3) Can there any improvement from operation practices in the TESCO?
Category No. of respondents Total respondents Percentage
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Agree 25 100 25.00%
Strongly agree 40 100 40.00%
Disagree 15 100 15.00%
Strongly disagree 20 100 20.00%
Agree Strongly agree Disagree Strongly disagree
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
No. of respondents
Total respondents
Percentage
Interpretation- From above give data, 25% and 40% people are agree but the 15% and
20% have reacted negatively.
4) Can performance and sales of TESCO company getting impacted due to the operational
problems?
Category Respondents Total respondents Percentage
Agree 25 100 25.00%
Neutral 15 100 15.00%
Disagree 25 100 25.00%
Strongly disagree 35 100 35.00%
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Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Respondents
Total respondents
Percentage
Interpretation- In order to this, 25% people are agree from this but the reaction of 25%
and 35% people reacted negatively and badly.
5) Could financial profit as well as sales of TESCO be increased through developing new
technology in business operations?
Category No. of respondents Total number of
respondents
Percentage
Agree 55 100 55.00%
Neural 25 100 25.00%
Disagree 20 100 20.00%
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Agree Neural Disagree
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
No. of respondents
Total number of respondents
Percentage
Interpretation- In this context, 55% people are agree, 25% are confused about this
statement and 20% people are disagree from this.
3.3
It will this particular part of research as concluding part because outcomes of data are
given here. Under this I fount that all questions on questionnaire are filled by respondents in a
proper manner about the operation management of given business firm. In context to this, I
recorded all facts related with the operation management of TESCO company but also the
adverse affect of performance level and sales over last years.
Recommendations
 Should focus on proving better quality of products to consumers on reasonable cost.
 TESCO should provide importance to staff members because they are they are essential
part of Operation management in TESCO company. They give their contribution in
operation management by using their skills and capabilities.
 Should be involve non- food products such as home decor, personal goods, utensils for
attract large number of consumers.
 Should deliver innovative and new offerings to consumers.
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 Should give strengthens current core competencies of TESCO company in context to deal
with many challenges at the market place. These all changes are not easy but complete
though strong leadership and also organizational change in TESCO company.
Operations as well as sales can be improves in the future if attraction will be given
towards these given recommendations.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Chang, H.H. and Wong, K.H., 2010. Adoption of e-procurement and participation of e-
marketplace on firm performance: Trust as a moderator. Information & Management.
47(5-6). pp.262-270.
Flynn, B.B., Huo, B. and Zhao, X., 2010. The impact of supply chain integration on
performance: A contingency and configuration approach. Journal of operations
management. 28(1). pp.58-71.
Hillier, F.S., 2012. Introduction to operations research. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Hortinha, P., Lages, C. and Filipe Lages, L., 2011. The trade-off between customer and
technology orientations: impact on innovation capabilities and export performance.
Journal of International Marketing. 19(3). pp.36-58.
Ingram, T.N. And et. al., 2012. Sales management: Analysis and decision making. ME Sharpe.
Inman, R.A. And et. al., 2011. Agile manufacturing: relation to JIT, operational performance and
firm performance. Journal of Operations Management. 29(4). pp.343-355.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Lummus, R.R., 2014.Operations and supply chain management
(pp. 533-535). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Masulis, R.W., Wang, C. and Xie, F., 2012. Globalizing the boardroom—The effects of foreign
directors on corporate governance and firm performance. Journal of Accounting and
Economics. 53(3). pp.527-554.
Menguc, B., Auh, S. and Ozanne, L., 2010. The interactive effect of internal and external factors
on a proactive environmental strategy and its influence on a firm's performance. Journal
of Business Ethics. 94(2). pp.279-298.
Mollenkopf, D.A., Frankel, R. and Russo, I., 2011. Creating value through returns management:
Exploring the marketing–operations interface. Journal of Operations Management.
29(5). pp.391-403.
Nawanir, G., Kong Teong, L. and Norezam Othman, S., 2013. Impact of lean practices on
operations performance and business performance: some evidence from Indonesian
manufacturing companies. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. 24(7).
pp.1019-1050.
Oliva, R. and Watson, N., 2011. Cross-functional alignment in supply chain planning: A case
study of sales and operations planning. Journal of Operations Management. 29(5).
pp.434-448.
Papadopoulos, N. and Martín, O.M., 2010. Toward a model of the relationship between
internationalization and export performance. International Business Review. 19(4).
pp.388-406.
Thomé, A.M.T. And et. al., 2012. Sales and operations planning: A research synthesis.
International Journal of Production Economics. 138(1). pp.1-13.
Online
WHAT IS OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT?, 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.cleverism.com/operations-management-definition-principles-activities-
trends/>./
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