The following discussion will focus on the Theory of Constraints by identifying the most useful resource that gives a detailed explanation of the theory. Five articles were studies and only one article was used in the discussion. The article selected was Theory of constraints: a Theory for operations management by Mahesh C. Gupta and Lynn H. Boyd.
Key Concept Explanation
Defining the topic
The main topic of discussion is “The Theory of Constraints”. According to Blackstone (2010), the Theory of Constraints is a business management tool used to gather, analyze, solve and implement solutions within an organization.
Essential elements for clear understanding of the topic
An organization aiming at implementing change might ask the following questions: What to change? What to change to? And how will be the changes implemented? The Theory of constraints fully provides a solution to all these questions. The theory considers an organization as a system, a chain of dependent processes. Each company has a constraint that determines its throughput. Goldratt suggested that for an organization to solve the problems introduced by a constraint there must be a way of exploiting it and subordinate all other processes to the constraint.
Reason for choosing this topic
Presently, the business environment has become extremely challenging that every organization struggles to work on a change plan capable of attracting more consumers. Companies wish to improve their operations through provision of products and services that satisfies customers’ needs. In addition, companies aim at producing products and services that are consistent with the prevailing market demands. Finally, companies aim at having a measure of success in relation to achieving goals and objectives. Many organizations have closed down, some trading at losses because they lack the essentials of doing an effective business transaction. The following topic provides guidance on how to improve an organization using the already available resources. On the other hand, the topic is fully applicable to the present day businesses because it gives managers an understanding of the business environment and what they need to do to achieve a global competitive advantage.
Comparison
Comparing the following source with other yield many differences, although there are a few similarities.
Differences
The article has given a totally different approach to the Theory of Constraints from the other four articles. Firstly, it shows how this theory can be utilized in improving operations of an organization. Operations management ensures all activities taking place in an organization are effective and to the correct standards. The other articles have concentrated more on giving the meaning of the theory without providing any physical prove of its effects. Secondly, the writer of this article used a different approach to demonstrate the application of the Theory of Constraints to an organization. As other sources compare their studies with the performance of a company, Gupta and Boyd determines the linkage between operations management core concepts and concepts of Theory of Constraints. The following approach makes a reader gain total understanding of the theory and apply it to other sectors of a business. For instance, Srinivasan, Jones and Miller (2010) conducted a study on the application of the Theory of Constraints at the Marine Corps maintenance center. Their study does not provide any comparison between the subjects that makes it lack the intended research gaps.
Thirdly, the main source has provided a literature review showing how previous researchers conducted their studies. The article proves to be original because it provides a unique approach compared to others. Looking at an article by Goldratt Institute written in 2009, the author just provides an overview of the theory without worrying about its application to the present business environment. In addition, the article does not provide real life examples to convince the reader that the theory plays a role in changing an organization as it is the case with Gupta and Boyd.
Similarities
The only similarity between the key source and others is that all have one agenda of defining the Theory of Constraints and its application to organizations today. In addition, these articles give credit to the inventor of this theory because he has contributed a lot to the changes experienced today in the business world.
Article summary
Change management aims at reducing any risk of failure that may result from change implementation and maximize on the benefits of change adoption. This involves taking into consideration human aspect of change and industrial psychology. Gupta and Boyd (2009) needed to discover how operations management could be changed using one of the management theories. The article is in form of a research project conducted to investigate the Theory of constraints as a theory for operations management. The main purpose of the study was to determine how the theory of constraints can be applied as a general theory in operations management. Integration between the two concepts was done in order to determine their compatibility. In addition, the article aimed at proofing that the Theory of Constraints has vital properties of a good theory.
The article also uses an extensive research methodology that utilizes all accepted categories of operations decisions such as quality, inventory, process, and capacity. The following categories are compared to the Theory of Constraints approach. Results indicated the existence of a relationship between concepts of operations management and concept of the Theory. In addition, the researchers used some traditional views of operations management that enabled managers make decisions regarding suggested business strategies. The article conclude that the Theory of Constraints provides an essential approach to operations decisions in an organization that end up preventing pitfalls. Moreover, the theory extends across functional boundaries in organizations hence, meeting the necessary criteria of a good theory. Generally, the article proves that the Theory of Constraints can serve as a unifying factor of any aspect of an organization for the purpose of achieving business objectives.
Biblical integration
The following topic can be related to the bible teachings on Genesis 1: 26 (New International Version). On this verse, God created human beings in order exercise good deeds and show wisdom over the earth. The founder of the Theory of Constraints exercised his wisdom to help human beings achieve their goals. The theory has assisted many entrepreneurs improve their businesses and boost over high customer turnouts in their companies. Secondly, the teachings of Colossians 3: 10 (King James Version) shows that God created man and renewed him in knowledge in education form. This passage is relevant to our topic of discussion because it shows that people who read and understand the theory end up renewing their business knowledge discovering new successful strategies. Lastly, Matthew 5: 16 (New International Version) calls for an individual to shine above his friends so that they may discover the good work and glorify the name of the Lord. This passage asks people to use their talents to show others that they are of importance to the society. The person who came up with the Theory of Constraints discovered his capability to solve business problems and his work has assisted many people today.
Application
Organizations today aim at satisfying their expectations through implementing different organizational changes and strategies. It is the wish of every consumer that the quality of a product or service paid for to be higher than its price. In addition, employees love to work in a promising environment where job security is guaranteed. On the other hand, shareholders expect their investments to yield higher returns within the shortest time possible. All these are expectations of an organization that the management must take control of. This theory ensures that organizations achieve their global objectives through understanding the main cause and effects changes. The following theory is applicable to both profit and non-profit making organizations since it takes control of business strategies, marketing, sales, distribution and other key business issues. Gupta and Boyd study forms a perfect example of how managers should focus on integrating various management theories in their decision making processes since they play a role in shaping an organization.
Annotated Bibliography
Cox III, J. F., Lynn H. B., Timothy T. S., Richard A. R., and Brad C. (2012). The Theory of
Constraints International Certification Organization Dictionary, (2nd Ed). The Ticico dictionary. Retrieved from:
http://www.tocico.org/?page=dictionary
Goldratt Institute. (2009). The Theory of Constraints and its Thinking Process, A brief
Introduction to TOC. Goldratt Institute. Retrieved from:
https://www.goldratt.com/pdfs/toctpwp.pdf
In this article, the author has been in the business management for over 20 years. The article claims that organizations are structured and managed in parts and not as a whole. Organizations that implement such kind of behaviors end up achieving un-expected results from their overall performances. The author goes on to state that such organizations have difficulties securing a strategic advantage in both the local and international markets. All these issues take place because of the availability of a barrier blocking an organization from proceeding. The author urges organizations to accept working together as an integrated system in order to achieve sustainable results. This source is relevant to the topic of discussion because it calls for organizations to implement changes through eliminating barriers to sustainable development. Such barriers are only visible through the integration of the Theory of Constraints.
Groop, J. (2012). Theory of Constraints in Field Service: Factors Limiting Productivity in Home
Care Operations. Aalto University School of Science: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. Retrieved from:
http://lib.tkk.fi/Diss/2012/isbn9789526045948/isbn9789526045948.pdf
Johan Groop conducted a study on public home providers to determine factors that limit their productivity. The research was conducted using the Theory of Constraints to determine the source of problems for these businesses. As the author suggests, the theory offers an assortment of tools that transform its principles to practice. The study concluded that the Theory of Constraints has the capacity of providing home care with an efficient framework for realizing and resolving issues limiting productivity. This source is relevant to the topic of discussion because it uses the Theory of Constraints to search for solutions to a problem. It provided a better understanding of how the theory works under different environments regardless of the nature of the problem.
Srinivasan, M., Jones, D. and Miller, A. (2010). “Applying Theory of Constraints Principles and
Lean Thinking at The Marine corps Maintenance Center.” Defense Acquisition Review Journal, 1(3), pp. 134-145. Retrieved from:
http://www.realization.com/pdf/articles/Applying-TOC-Principles-and-Lean-Thinking.pdf
.
References
Cox III, J. F., Lynn H. B., Timothy T. S., Richard A. R., and Brad C. (2012). The Theory of
Constraints International Certification Organization Dictionary, (2nd Ed). The Ticico dictionary.
Blackstone, J. (2010). Theory of Constraints. Scholarpedia, 5(5), 10-45.
Goldratt Institute. (2009). The Theory of Constraints and its Thinking Process, A brief
Introduction to TOC. Goldratt Institute. Retrieved from:
https://www.goldratt.com/pdfs/toctpwp.pdf
Groop, J. (2012). Theory of Constraints in Field Service: Factors Limiting Productivity in Home
Care Operations. Aalto University School of Science: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. Retrieved from:
http://lib.tkk.fi/Diss/2012/isbn9789526045948/isbn9789526045948.pdf
Mahesh C. Gupta, Lynn H. Boyd, (2008) "Theory of constraints: a theory for operations management", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 28 Iss: 10, pp. 991 – 1012
Srinivasan, M., Jones, D. and Miller, A. (2010). “Applying Theory of Constraints Principles and
Lean Thinking at The Marine corps Maintenance Center.” Defense Acquisition Review Journal, 1(3), pp. 134-145.
