In this paper, I will critically review what I studied in this module and comment on different learning experiences I had. This critical reflection of my learning experiences can assist me to identify the learning experience(s) that will have great influence on my future as well. I will also try to figure out how my preconceptions, thoughts, and expectations about operations and logistics management were changed during this module.
I strongly believe that individual assignments and shared activities in this module changed my preconceptions, thoughts, and expectations about operations and logistics management notably. Previously, I was not much aware of the dreadful consequences of supply chain disruptions, and hence I had not properly planned for ensuring smooth and uninterrupted flow of supply chain. As a result, I often struggled to find alternative ways of supply in times of supply and business disruptions in my professional life. Hence, this weakness limited my efficiency as a professional. However, this module helped me understand that disaster mitigation must be a central part of the supply chain management because modern supply networks are extremely vulnerable to various forms of disasters (Chopra & Sodhi, 2014). Having an effective disaster migration plan in force can help modern business enterprises to perform their supply chain activities efficiently and uninterruptedly. I also understood that strategic supply chain building programs can help firms deal with disaster management effectively through identifying potential sourcing locations (Dittmann, 2014). Having access to a range of potential sources can benefit businesses to avoid situations where supply chain activities are interrupted due to inadequate supply of materials. To be sincere, I had not given proper emphasis to securing potential sources earlier as I was not really informed of the significance of this practice in promoting uninterrupted flow of the business. In addition, this module really benefited me to structure a SWOT analysis leading to the identification of some potential weaknesses that hindered my personal business success.
Similarly, this module was of great help for me to gain a deeper understanding of various forces driving market competition. I recognised that the intensity of market competition in the current days is more intense than what I thought. Previously, I thought that one-time investment in technology would be enough to support supply chain operations of a business enterprise. However, now I understand that the role of technology is much greater in the modern business environment so that timely updation of technologies is essential to maintain the competitiveness of the business (pwc, 2010). In addition, this model greatly benefited me to recognise the significance of investing markedly in R&D, which is currently a major component determining the market success of a business organisation. My preconception with regards to the use of technology in the business was that businesses could enhance their operational efficiency and competitiveness through adopting latest technological developments. However, now I am aware that establishment of an R&D department is much better for improving the efficiency of logistics management and overall organisational performance. The Unit 3 specifically helped me improve my understanding of the concept of total supply chain management. The study of the Toyota Production System was really a great experience for me, and I strongly believe that this learning experience will have the greatest influence on my future. The most important lesson I learnt from this Unit is that effective integration of suppliers will be beneficial to improve the R&D and logistics performance (Haartman & Bengtsson, 2015). Based on this information, I will give specific focus to supplier relationship and integration in my future business dealings.
In this module, I obtained a clear view of the effects of operations management decisions on the business performance. To be specific, I realised that a holistic view of the global supply chain management network will be good for the operations manager to develop and implement his/her plans. I got the opportunity to learn about different sourcing strategies and their contextual importance. To illustrate, the advantages and limitations of six sourcing strategies identified by scholars like Heizer and Render provided me some valuable insights into sensible adoption of sourcing strategies. I was not much concerned about the selection of sourcing strategies before studying this module as I believed that sourcing strategy had not much to do in determining business success. However, the module helped me change this preconception. This module was of great help for me to evaluate the importance of reverse logistics in enhancing the financial performance of a manufacturing industry (Pollock, 2007). I also learnt that there is a link between reverse logistics and business sustainability as the former adds value to the firm’s reputation. I did not expect that the concept of reverse logistics could influence the financial performance of an industry.
In addition, my thought of sustainability was significantly changed by this module. I thought that concept of sustainability simply referred to governments efforts of satisfying the resource needs of present without compromising the needs of future generations. However, this module helped me understand that the concept of sustainability goes beyond this simple definition and involves various aspects of resource preservation, environment protection, and community welfare. I had believed that it was only the responsibility of the government to promote sustainable development. However, now I understand that combined efforts of government, companies, and people are inevitable to implement the concept of sustainable development. In short, I had never expected that the concept of operations management was this much complex.
Similarly, the shared activities helped me obtain a great understanding of changing roles of operations mangers over years. Now I am able to evaluate how the position of an operations manager would change in future and the influence of this change on operations and logistics management. In this module, I could learn a new concept called process thinking. My professional life will be certainly influenced by the new knowledge that process thinking can have significant influence on the outcomes of various operational scenarios. For operations and logistics managers, the concept of process thinking will be extremely helpful to better assess various operations scenarios and to generate greater outcomes. In this module, I was also informed that operations management and logistics management are two crucial aspects of supply chain management, and therefore, effective functioning of operations and logistics aspects are inevitable to ensure smooth flow of supply chain management. I realized that various components of supply chain are interconnected and therefore decision regarding one component can have a notable impact on others. In addition, the decisions of operations and logistics managers will have greater impact on the business if the firm’s supply chain network is tightly integrated. As an operations manager, one should give specific attention to the term ‘green’ as it is greatly related to the concept of sustainable development (OECD, 2012). Going green must be a major objective of all supply chain managers because the modern communities would not promote any business unless it focuses specifically on conservation of energy and resources and protection of the environment.
References
Chopra, S & Sodhi, (2014) Reducing the Risk of Supply Chain Disruptions. MIT Sloan, March 18. [Online] Available at: http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/reducing-the-risk-of-supply-chain-disruptions/ [Accessed 16 Jan 2017].
Dittmann, J. P. (2014) Managing risk in the global supply chain. The Global Supply Chain Institute. [Online] Available at:http://globalsupplychaininstitute.utk.edu/publications/documents/Risk.pdf [Accessed 16 Jan 2017].
Haartman , R. V & Bengtsson, L. (2015) The impact of global purchasing and supplier integration on product innovation. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 35 (9): pp.1295 – 1311.
OECD. (June 2012) Green Growth and Developing Countries A Summary for Policy Makers. [Online] Available at: https://www.oecd.org/dac/50526354.pdf [Accessed 16 Jan 2017].
Pollock, W. K. (2007) Using Reverse Logistics to Enhance Customer Service and Competitive Performance. Reverse Logistics Magazine. [Online] Available at: http://www.reverselogisticstrends.com/rlmagazine/edition08p12.php [Accessed 16 Jan 2017].
Pwc. (Dec 2010) Achieving more timely, accurate and transparent reporting. [Online] Available at:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/increasing-finance-function-effectiveness/assets/achieving-more-timely-accurate-and-transparent-reporting.pdf [Accessed 16 Jan 2017].
