Teaching operations management in an integrated format: Student perception and faculty experience

Understanding the role of the operations function is an important part of any business student's training. Here we present and analyze our experience of teaching operations management by integrating it with other business disciplines. A survey instrument was developed and students were asked to complete the online survey at the beginning and at end of the semester. Statistical analysis was performed on the responses received. Using factor analysis and structural equation model we assessed student perceptions. We found that students perceive learning operations management in an integrated format quite useful. Students are well trained to understand the interrelationship of operations management with other business functions. The experience and viewpoints of faculty members developing and delivering the integrated course over a significant period are presented as well.

[1]  J. Nunnally.  Psychometric Theory (2nd ed), New York: McGraw-Hill. , 1978 .

[2]  Michael M. Harmon,et al.  Business Research and Chinese Patriotic Poetry: How Competition for Status Distorts the Priority Between Research and Teaching in U.S. Business Schools , 2006 .

[3]  Mehmet Barut,et al.  Problem‐Based Learning for Production and Operations Management , 2003 .

[4]  Andrew Greasley,et al.  A virtual learning environment for operations management:Assessing the student's perspective , 2004 .

[5]  Denise M. Rousseau,et al.  Is there Such a thing as “Evidence-Based Management”? , 2006 .

[6]  M. Bullinger,et al.  The European DISABKIDS project: development of seven condition-specific modules to measure health related quality of life in children and adolescents , 2005, Health and quality of life outcomes.

[7]  Michael E. Busing,et al.  THE USE OF INDUSTRIAL SOFTWARE TO CREATE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT COURSES , 2009 .

[8]  José Antonio Domínguez Machuca,et al.  An empirical study of POM teaching in Spanish universities (II): Faculty profile, teaching and assessment methods , 2003 .

[9]  Charles S. White.  Levels of Understanding--A Guide to the Teaching and Assessment of Knowledge. , 2007 .

[10]  Bryan Kethley,et al.  The Relationship Between Homework and Performance in an Introductory Operations Management Course , 2002 .

[11]  Charles W. McNichols,et al.  An Integrative, Experiential Approach to Production Management Education , 1989 .

[12]  R. B. Chase,et al.  Operations management: internationalization and interdisciplinary integration , 1998 .

[13]  Jean C. Darian,et al.  Integrated Marketing and Operations Team Projects: Learning the Importance of Cross-Functional Cooperation , 2001 .

[14]  Harvey Maylor,et al.  GAME PLAYING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT EDUCATION , 2007 .

[15]  Sung-il Cho,et al.  Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the job content questionnaire: data from health care workers , 2007, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[16]  Rex B. Kline,et al.  Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling , 1998 .

[17]  Eliot R. Smith,et al.  Research methods in social relations , 1962 .

[18]  L. Cronbach.  Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests , 1951 .

[19]  Hulya Julie Yazici,et al.  Student Perceptions of Collaborative Learning in Operations Management Classes , 2004 .

[20]  W. Bennis,et al.  How business schools lost their way. , 2005, Harvard business review.

[21]  Barbara B. Flynn,et al.  Empirical research methods in operations management , 1990 .

[22]  J. H. Steiger.  Structural Model Evaluation and Modification: An Interval Estimation Approach. , 1990, Multivariate behavioral research.

[23]  The Ism Simulation: Teaching Integrated Management Concepts , 2003 .

[24]  Kimball E. Bullington,et al.  Course Design Using the House of Quality , 2005 .

[25]  K. Watson,et al.  Improving Operations Management Concept Recollection Via the Zarco Experiential Learning Activity , 2004 .

[26]  Andrew J. DuBrin,et al.  Essentials of Management , 2012 .

[27]  C. Hatton,et al.  Reliability and validity of the PAS-ADD Checklist for detecting psychiatric disorders in adults with intellectual disability. , 1998, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[28]  R. Anthony Inman,et al.  Student Bias against POM Coursework and Manufacturing , 1994 .

[29]  Matthias Holweg,et al.  Supply chain simulation - a tool for education, enhancement and endeavour , 2002 .

[30]  Arup Mukherjee.  Improving Student Understanding of Operations Management Techniques Through a Rolling Reinforcement Strategy , 2002 .