Operations Management1

Trends in Operations Management3

Operations Management - From Mass Production to Mass Customization5

Comparing Mass Customization and Continuous Improvement6

Dell Example7

Service Sector Mass Customization7

Mass Customization in Service Sector as Compared to Goods8

Adidas Example10

Areas Currently Employing Mass Customization10

Benefits of Mass Customization in these areas12

Issues faced13

Advantages14

Disadvantages16

Criticism19

Recommendations20

Works Cited21

Mass Customization

Introduction

The realm of operation management is being continuously modified by changes in business operations and dynamics. We know that with shorter product life cycles, maintaining profit margins to a desired level is getting more and more complicated. Manufacturers and managers therefore have to incorporate the effect of these changes by managing and mostly reducing their turnaround and production cycles. The evolution of operations management towards mass customization is perhaps the latest answer to the dilemma faced by managers these days. Not only does it enable the organization to meet the demands of its customer effectively but it also allows for greater efficiency in production cycles. What these companies are focusing on currently is to enhance the level of customer flexibility for their products and services while also keeping a check on their costs. This is possible only if the company can manage to reduce its overall inventory costs, reduce the losses associated with scrap, reassess the daily jobs in order to reduce lead times and shift the focus from mass production to mass customization.

Operations Management

Operations management is basically a set of activities that allows efficient transformation of input to output. The scope of the field extends to all elements of the value chain, dealing with suppliers as well as customers. The same has evolved merely from being a functional unit to that of an essential element to be incorporated at the enterprise level. We know that design is now considered as an essential element of operations management because it not only helps in shaping the different processes involved in manufacturing but also determines the level of operator ownership. Competitiveness of an organization depends greatly on operations management (Chabrow, Pp. 51-53).

Executive are able to link various marketing efforts in order to deliver an end product or service as per the customer requirements. The recent trends in operations management are not merely a shift in operations but also on the overall enterprise approach. The domain is not going global, competing for the highest efficiencies and lowest costs. Supply chain integration through Just in Time systems allow smooth operations and reduced inventories. Alliance with supply partners is enabling operations managers to innovate the processes involved. In order to cater to lower product lifecycles. Operations management is now allowing companies to develop newer products at a faster rate. Another way of analyzing these trends is by defining them in terms of the target market. We know that operations management has found humungous expression in the service sector. This utilization is based on the growth in service industry. The focus on increased quality, lower lead times, and demand for newer products is also altering operations management to a great extent.

We know that previously, businesses did not enjoy the same level ...