OVERVIEW

Welcome to the Master's Degree Course in Operations Management! In this program, we will explore the fundamental principles and advanced techniques of managing operations processes in various industries. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of operations management and make significant contributions to organizational success. The course aims to develop a deep understanding of operations management concepts, enhance skills in designing efficient operations systems, learn effective strategies for managing operations and supply chains, gain proficiency in using technology and data analysis tools for operations optimization, cultivate sustainable and responsible practices in operations management.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the concepts and operational management methods, with particular focus on the intra-organizational dimension and its extension to the inter-organizational dimension related to logistics and production processes. Therefore, the issues of alignment between operations and supply chains, the measurement of activities and processes, and the planning and control of resources will be explained. This includes the dynamics upstream (suppliers) and downstream (distributors), as well as the potential use of artificial intelligence algorithms and optimization within the broader digital and sustainable twin transition.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the concepts and operational methods of operations and supply chain management. During the course, the aim is to develop skills in the efficient design of operations in production and service systems. Additionally, the focus will be on the ability to identify and solve problems in operations management, as well as measurement of performance and operations planning and control. The course will explore procurement management, physical distribution, and supply chain management practices. Furthermore, knowledge will be provided on digital transformations in operations management and the application of modeling techniques. The course will also discuss artificial intelligence and optimization as tools for operations managers to enhance operations.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain and apply the concepts of strategic alignment in operations and supply chain management.
• Efficiently design operations in production and service systems, considering needs and available resources.
• Identify and analyze common problems in operations management and propose appropriate solutions.
• Select and utilize performance measurement methods to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
• Plan and control operations, including sales and operations planning, master production scheduling, and shop floor control, and adapt plans to production needs.
• Manage the procurement process, including supplier selection and evaluation, to ensure an efficient and reliable supply chain.
• Apply strategies for physical distribution and supply chain management to optimize the flow of materials and information.
• Understand the impact of digital transformations in operations management and identify and implement innovative technologies.
• Recognize the importance of sustainable operations and integrate sustainability into operations management and the transition to a digital and sustainable twin model.
• Apply modeling techniques to analyze and optimize operational processes.
• Understand the utilization of artificial intelligence and optimization for operations managers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is organized through:

• interactive lectures;
• discussion of real industrial cases;
• guided exercises and problem solving;
• application activities on planning, performance measurement and supply chain management;
• use of introductory quantitative tools and operational simulations;
• supplementary teaching material made available through AulaWeb.

Attendance is recommended.

Classes will be supported by teaching materials in both Italian and English.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Strategic alignment of operations
• Relationship among business strategy, operations and supply chain
• Operations as a lever of competitiveness
• Operational trade-offs and industrial performance

2. Operations design in production and service systems
• Configuration of operational processes
• Production capacity and resource organization
• Operations in industrial systems and services

3. Definition and resolution of operational problems
• Problem framing in operations
• Analysis and problem-solving techniques
• Decision making in complex environments

4. Operational performance measurement
• KPIs and performance measurement
• Efficiency, effectiveness, quality and productivity
• Quantitative support for decisions

5. Operations planning and control
• Capacity planning
• Resource planning
• Operations control

6. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
• Integrated demand–supply planning
• Master Production Schedule
• Multi-level operational coordination

7. Procurement and supplier management
• Industrial procurement
• Supplier selection and supplier evaluation
• Risk management in the supply network

8. Supply chain and physical distribution
• Structure and configuration of supply chains
• Management of physical and information flows
• Resilience and disruption of supply chains

9. Digital transformation of operations
• Information systems for operations
• Data-driven operations
• Digital operations management

10. Sustainable operations and twin transition
• Resource efficiency
• Sustainability in operations
• Digital and sustainable transition of production systems

11. Modelling techniques in operations
• Fundamentals of operational systems modelling
• Scenario analysis and decision support
• Introduction to optimization

12. Artificial intelligence and decision support for operations
• AI-enabled operations
• Potential and limitations of AI in operational processes
• AI, forecasting and support for managerial decisions

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grando, Belvedere, Secchi, Stabilini (2021), Production, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Bocconi University Press.

Additional teaching material, case studies and supplementary resources provided by the instructor through AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11956/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Assessment includes a written examination consisting of theoretical questions, applied exercises and operations management cases related to the planning, management and improvement of operations and supply chain systems.

The oral examination may complement the final assessment if the result of the written exam is higher than 18/30.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the School's disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment of the written exam aims to test general knowledge, specific questions, and the ability to perform numerical exercises on simple cases.

The assessment of the written exam aims to verify and evaluate linguistic and conceptual mastery of the subject matter, as well as the ability to correlate the main concepts explained in class.