Essay on Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management Analysis

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of operations, logistics, and supply chain management within the context of Pathways Care Group, a healthcare provider. It begins with an introduction to the core concepts and a review of relevant management theories, including those related to operations, logistics, and supply chain management. The essay then delves into specific operational challenges faced by the company, focusing on quality management and location and layout. It explores potential solutions, such as implementing total quality management (TQM) and Six Sigma techniques to improve quality, and optimizing location and layout for better service delivery. The analysis incorporates various theoretical frameworks and practical recommendations to enhance the company's efficiency and effectiveness. The essay concludes with a summary of key findings and recommendations for Pathways Care Group to improve its operational performance.

Understanding Operations,
Logistics and Supply Chain
Management

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT THEORIES............................................................................3
Operation Management Theories.......................................................................................................3
Logistics Management Theories........................................................................................................4
Supply Chain Management Theories.................................................................................................4
SOLUTIONS OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT................................................................5
Location and Layout..........................................................................................................................5
Appropriate Solutions........................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operation and Logistic Management refers to management of resources such
effectively flow of products and services that means effective supply of raw material and
deliver of goods to large number of people within limited time and cost. Pathways care group
is company in Milton that provide various opportunities to people to live healthy and active
thus helps in improving and enhancing living standard of people. This report explains about
various operational management such inbound and outbound logistic and supply management
chain so that company can easily get input and deliver product to customers (Anyangwe,
2017). Various theories, model and concept are used to explains about different operation that
company perform, the way it manages products and services to effective deliver product to
large number of people within limited time. The report also describes about two key areas
where it needs to improve such as quality management and Location and layout of company.
At last it provides recommendation so the way effectively manages quality and layout of
firm.
REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT THEORIES
Currently there are various management theories are available to Pathways Care
Group, UK. These all theories help to this organisation to properly manage their various
areas, like; operations, logistics and supply chain etc. Management theories always support to
a business, company and organisation to improve their existing product and service quality
(de Camargo Fioriniand et.al., 2018). Top-level management of Pathway care group has full
opportunity to increase or develop its service quality. The organisation can easily manage
their quality and location layout aspects with the support of different management theories.
Major role of management theories in different operations of organisation has been discussed
below;
Operation Management Theories
Currently many operations are operating by top-level management of Pathways care
group, in which this organisation is highly required to implement some management theories
to properly manage their all operations. Systematic management of operations is too
necessary for this organisation to achieve effective results in respective sector. In its
operations, it is mainly providing health care services to people in the United Kingdom. It is
basically a social health care organisation which day or night work for creating a happy and

healthy environment for people who has some disabilities like; mental, learning, physical and
autism (Wang, 2019). It is very great initiative by this organisation. Currently many people
always appreciate operations of this organisation in the United Kingdom.
The top-level management of Pathways care group is highly responsible to improve
the existing quality of their daily operations, because it is necessary to provide quality
services to different people. It need to mostly run their all operations in such locations where
always found high case of people who has some disabilities. Through this steps, disable
people can easily take services of this organisation. Currently many operations management
theories are available to organisation which will help it to improve its existing quality. For
example; TQM (total quality management), it is very innovative strategy which can support
to company for improving levels of their services and daily operations
Logistics Management Theories
Logistics aspect plays very great role in the Pathway care group, because without
logistics this organisation can’t achieve its decided targets on time. It is basically a health
care organisation, so it is always required many products to use in their daily operations. For
example; medicines, glucose, essential fruits and food etc. So, through logistics operations
this organisation can easily fulfil its need of these products. That’s why top-level
management of organisation highly need to systematically manage its logistics aspect. It need
to improve quality of this aspect as well, because without logistics this organisation can’
operate its operational activities on progressive path.
There is JIT (just in time) management theory will support to the management to
conduct their all logistics related activities in proper channel (Jaber, 2016). Through this
theory, the existing management will able to order only that logistics in their workplace
which are necessarily required in the daily operation of Pathway care group.
Supply Chain Management Theories
Supply chain of an organisation should always be too active and productive. Currently
most organisations, companies or businesses are putting their great efforts to systematically
manage their supply chain in respective market. In this case, the management of Pathway
care group is also responsible to improve the existing quality of its supply chain. Currently
various supply chain management theories and strategies are available to this organisation
which can support it to increase levels of their supply chain. The management is always

responsible to properly maintain its supply chain. Otherwise this organisation can’t gain
effective results from the health and social care sector.
The channel coordination theory of supply chain will play great role in the
organisation to improve the existing quality and location & layout aspect of its supply chain
(Matthews and Marzec, 2017). This channel coordination is very productive theory for
managing quality of supply chain in any organisation, so this will definitely support to the
pathway care group to improve its own supply chain as well. If once top-level management of
this organisation has succeeded in properly managing their supply chain, then it will have full
opportunity to provide the best quality health care services. The organisation can easily serve
its lots of health and care services to lots of disable people with the support of strong and
effective supply chain.
SOLUTIONS OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Location and Layout
Pathways care group company operate various residential operations for people with
disabilities, autism or mental health disorders with extensive focus on building permanent
residential care centers for supportive living. Location and layout facilities are an integral
function of management which posses various aspects of manufacturing in different aspects
with the objective to build innovative design models. Facility layout explains arrangements of
effective manufacturing with safety standards, high convenience factors in implementing
operations with strong economic activities to maintain social ethics. Location and layout are
strong determinants which explain how the customers’ satisfaction levels have been able to
captivate for long term goodwill and high profitability margins. There is high importance of
high class facilities and innovative infrastructure layout services for gaining large customer
goodwill and long stability within industry.
Pathway care Group Company by focusing on underlined creative solutions and ideas
with barnstorming activities of employees and top management can formulate strong
locations, innovative layout plans and reach high breakthrough in gaining large market
share.The various elements of location decisions which enable effective constructional
planning for long term expansion into business services and gaining high goodwill are:
 Strong financial investment: Pathway care Group Company by investing in capital and
finance for locating their business services can build an effective business production model.

The company can gain built houses with innovative designs and facilities with large
infrastructure to support the living standards of people living there. Location and layout
factors of all houses and functions spread in all operational units by building strong capital
fund to be utilized in engineering homes and building care centres (Lei and Tai,2019).
 Customized location layout: Pathway care Group Company can go on for customized
location layout services where management and employees with consultation and productive
conversations with clients built high class facilities and infrastructure. By delivering high
customer focused design houses and help centers, it will productively built brand goodwill
and uplift the business presentation globally. Healthy, hygienic living conditions shall be
main criteria while layout designs formulation. Location factors must be built with strong
focus on health and age group priorities of people.
 Innovative layout: Innovative layout by Pathway care group company for patients and aged
people with customized areas in bedrooms and all houses upgraded with innovative range
products will help to establish strong parameters of success. Pathway care group by bringing
in more innovative layouts and design modules for infrastructure productivity and research
breakthrough usage, uplift the brand image globally. The high integration of gathered data
and statistics with innovative teams will help in deep structuring the working functions to
potentially create best business services.
 Hygienic and open space factors: Pathway care Group Company must focus on
building hygienic location layouts for all homes and centers where people convince factors
and welfare must be dynamically implemented. The open spaces in balconies and walking
areas in houses and all services catering to comfort and convenience of people will develop
an effective layout structure. By maintain strong parameters on preferences of customers to
cultivate hygienic and natural open space houses, living centers for all age group people.
The creativity factor must be enhanced by training employees and management staff to work
towards putting their innovative business services and social standards in bringing best
services (Azevedo, Crispim and de Sousa 2019)
 Respecting privacy and ethical standards: Pathway care Group Company must maintain
standards of privacy factor and ethical considerations of people while formulation of layouts
and construction of houses. Location element must be according to set paradigms of clients
mind and desires of people living in nearby community; so that their privacy is not disturbed
and ethical practices should be followed for high priorities of people. Management must
productively aim towards gaining high goodwill among customer market share

 Creative infrastructure: The Pathway care group company must focus on building
innovative location and layout infrastructure models by introducing innovative creative
practices such as gaming zones, artist rooms and library zones for people to enjoy quality
time while they stay at homes and healthcare centers. Company infrastructure can be
enhanced by including various models and practices to share employees and management
ideas how they can together bring healthy changes in production factor and promote the
services through website services.
Appropriate Solutions
Quality Management Solution
Quality management is among the crucial problem Pathways Care Group is facing
currently. Quality management has a direct connection with the improvement in the products
and services company offering currently. In order to improve the quality company
management is aiming to utilise the technique of total quality management and six sigma
techniques.
Total quality management technique
Total quality management is an effective technique companies use to improve the
quality of products and services company cater in order to meet the business objectives of
company. Total quality management ensure to sustain the quality at every stage involve in
catering the products and services to ultimate customers of company. Following elements
involve in implementing total quality management technique.
Customer Focus: In order to implement the quality management process the focus must be
on the needs and expectations of the target customers of company (John, 2019). Quality
management process is only successful when the business organisation is able to effectively
cater te needs of the customers. Company must assess the customer expectations from the
p[products and services offer by Pathway care group. Based on the expectations of customers
further process of total quality management implement.
Total employee involvement: In order to meet the expectation of customer of company
employee’s involvement also play the crucial role. Employee involvement involves asking
suggestion from the human resources employed in the organisation.

Process cantered: Quality management technique is a process oriented technique which
involves a systematic process of operations in order to improve the quality of products. All
the processes involved in catering services and products of company must be evaluated in this
process.
Integrated System: In order to gain the proper advantages of the total quality management
process the entire structure must be integrated. Integrated system involved sustain
authenticity at each stage involve in the total quality management.
Strategic and systematic approach: Strategic and systematic approach emphasis on
operating the entire process based on the vision and mission of the process. It is crucial that
the quality offer by company is capable enough to meet all the requirements and expectations
of the customers.
Continual improvement: Quality management is a continuous process as every day new
technologies and techniques are introducing the business environment. New inclusion always
suggests quality development potential. Company management at Pathway care group can
continuously apply the process in order to have a constant development in the products
quality.
Fact based decision making: Quality management involve taking decisions that can
improve the quality of products and services in order to match the expectations of customers
of company. All decisions must be on the basis of the scientific facts.
Communication: Communication is also a crucial aspects of the total quality management.
In order to convey the proper development in the process it is crucial to use the proper
communication channels. Communication play effective role at each stage involve in total
quality management.
Apart from the total quality management Technique Company can also utilise the Six
Sigma Technique.
Six Sigma Techniques
Six sigma techniques is also a crucial technique to improve the quality of products
and services.

Design: Designing is the first step involve in the quality management process. All the steps
must be design properly so that effective measures on the quality can be taken.
Measure: Measure involve analysis the permanent development in the quality that can
provide long term advantages (McLean, Antony and Dahlgaard, 2017).
Analyse: Analysis involve assessing the alternatives available to implement the possible
developments.
Design: Design involve plan the proper process to implement the most suitable and
significant alternative in order to achieve the highest level of efficiency.
Verify: Verify is the final stage involve in quality management process. This stage is about to
verify the alternative and also to apply the same as well.
Both the processes are crucial and management of Pathway care group can apply any
of the process to improve the quality of products and services.
Recommendation
Various recommendations can be given from above analysis to improve quality of
products and services and location and layout of company.
 Such as company has to organised various training and development programs so that
employees can easily enhance their knowledge and skills (Silali, 2019). Use of
innovative technologies so that employees can manufacture qualitative products at
reasonable rates within limited wastage and time to meet need of customers.
 Company has to reorganise its layout so that it can stores maximum amount of raw
material and finished products to quickly meet with demand of customers (Wenkatha,
and Aruna Shantha, 2016). It should locate its warehouse and operation where supply
of input can be easily made and products can be distributed to large number of
customers.
CONCLUSION
From the above report conclusion can be made that operation management of Pathways
care group perform various function such as planning, organising various resources for
effective achievements of organisational goals. It can also be illustrated from above report
that Pathways has to improve its quality by enhancing knowledge and skills of employees.
On the other hand it has to take various steps in order to set specific location and layout so

numbers of customers are attracted to prefer Pathways care Group. Supply chain management
of company is also effective as it continuous coordinate with suppliers so that raw material
are provided within limited time and cost to customers. Therefore it can be concluded that
operational management helps in satisfying needs and wants of customers by effectively
converting raw material into finished products.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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approach.
Azevedo, M. M., Crispim, J. A. and de Sousa, J. P., 2019. A dynamic multiobjective model
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de Camargo Fiorini, P., and et.al., 2018. Management theory and big data literature: From a
review to a research agenda. International Journal of Information Management. 43.
pp.112-129.
Jaber, M. Y., 2016. Learning curves: Theory, models, and applications. CRC Press.
John, J., 2019. A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of Guided Imagery Technique on
Stress and Quality of Life among Diabetics Patients in a selected Rural Area,
Bangalore. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 7(3). pp.373-
378.
Lei, W. and Tai, C., 2019. Effect of different staircase and exit layouts on occupant
evacuation. Safety science. 118. pp.258-263.
Matthews, R. L. and Marzec, P. E., 2017. Continuous, quality and process improvement:
disintegrating and reintegrating operational improvement?. Total Quality
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initiatives in manufacturing environments: a systematic review of the
evidence. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. 28(3-4). pp.219-237.
Silali, N. C., 2019. Influence of Quality Costs on Performance of the National Cereals and
Produce Board in Kapenguria, West Pokot County Kenya (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Nairobi).
Wang, X., 2019. Dynamical Modelling in Operations Management. In Contemporary
Operations and Logistics. (pp. 119-136). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Wenkatha, A. and Aruna Shantha, A., 2016. The Impact of Interior and Exterior Designs on
Demand for Hotels. Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE),
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.