Concept of Operations

An operation is defined in terms of the mission it serves for the organization, technology it
employs and the human and managerial processes it involves. Operations in an
organization can be categorized into manufacturing operations and service operations.

Manufacturing operations is a conversion process that includes manufacturing yields a

tangible output: a product, whereas, a conversion process that includes service yields an
intangible output: a deed, a performance, an effort.
Distinction between Manufacturing Operations and
Service Operations
Following characteristics can be considered for distinguishing manufacturing
operations with service operations:

• Tangible/Intangible nature of output

• Consumption of output
• Nature of work (job)
• Degree of customer contact
• Customer participation in conversion
• Measurement of performance.
Operations Management
Managing operations can be enclosed in a frame of general management function.
Operation managers are concerned with planning, organizing, and controlling the
activities which affect human behaviour through models.

Planning
Activities that establishes a course of action and guide
future decision-making is planning

Organizing
Activities that establishes a structure of tasks and
authority.

Controlling
Activities that assure the actual performance in
accordance with planned performance.
General model for managing operations
Objectives of Operations Management
Objectives of Operations Management
Customer Service
Managing Global Operations
Globalization can be defined as a process in which geographic distance
becomes a factor of diminishing importance in the establishment and
maintenance of cross border economic, political and socio-cultural relations.

There are four developments, which have spurred the trend toward
globalization. These are:

1. Improved transportation and communication technologies

2. Opened financial systems
3. Increased demand for imports
4. Reduced import quotas and other trade barriers
Scope of Production and Operations Management
Production and operations management concern with the conversion of
inputs into outputs, using physical resources, so as to provide the desired
utilities to the customer while meeting the other organizational objectives of
effectiveness, efficiency and adoptability.

It distinguishes itself from other functions such as personnel, marketing,

finance, etc., by its primary concern for ‘conversion by using physical
resources.’
Production and operations management functions:
Referencias

• Production and Operations Management; Kumar y Suresh; Edición 2

• Manual práctico para la administración de agronegocios; Guillermo Guerra Espinel,

Alfredo Aguilar Valdés

• Como aprender economía: conceptos básicos; Santiago Zorrilla Arena

• Administración; James Arthur Finch Stoner, R. Edward Freeman, Daniel R. Gilbert

• Administración de la producción como ventaja competitiva; Eduardo Jorge Arnoletto