IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

How did the “Made in Japan” image change from shoddy goods in the immediate post-war period to its high quality image today? In answering this question, the focus in Operations Management I is on the role of monozukuri: “making things.” It is important to emphasize monozukuri lies not in the product and the service itself, but in the design process. This process consists of “design information” aimed at “delighting customers” (product development), transcribing it on a “product architecture” (production) and transmitting this “sensory experience” to customers (marketing and sales). Fujimoto (2004) argues this is the key to a Japanese style of manufacturing.
Consequently the main objective of this course is to deepen the students' understanding of these three aspects of the monozukuri process through case studies. In the first part, we begin with merging the “voice of the customer” with a company’s ‘intrinsic technology” in new product/service design. In the second part, we will translate these needs and capabilities into operations processes in not only the manufacturing sector, but also the services sector. In the third part, we will examine the information systems underlying a company's supply chain. These “evolving deep layers in the design process of Japanese companies provide a window for analysing the current status of monozukuri as well as its possible future evolution.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

・Read and write a case study.
・THEORY: Understand the key concepts and principles constituting monozukuri.
・METHODS: Apply the basic approaches guiding the monozukuri design process. In this connection, students will learn how to read and write a case study.
・TOOLS: Use selected problem-solving techniques in pursuing monozukuri.

These are some of the components of critical thinking so we can begin to “speak with facts and not by guts.”

英語 / English

Active Learning is the main teaching approach for this course. Active learning requires the students to take the lead in the learning process with the instructor acting as a facilitator. This will be particularly the case in the second half of the semester. Some examples of active learning are pair-discussion, group work, case studies, simulations, presentations, reaction paper, experiential learning, etc. In this course we will learn and use the case study method.

あり / Yes

なし / No

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

Week 1：Introduction to Course

・Introduction to the Course and Syllabus
・What is monozukuri?
・What is a case study?

Week 2：Case Study

・Introduction to 7-11 Japan case study

Week 3：Design Information (1)

Customers Relationships and Customer Services (Wisner, Chapter 5)
・Collect customer information
・Segment customers

Week 4：Design Information (2)

・Group work

Week 5：Design Information (3)

・Design a customer relationship program (House of Quality)
・Select a customer relationship softwre

Week 6：Design Information (4)

・Deliver program to targeted customer segments
・Design performance metrics

Week 7：Product Architecture (1)

New Product and Service Design (Wisner, Chapter 3)
・Generate idea
・Develop concept

Week 8：Product Architecture (2)

・Group work

Week 9：Product Architecture (3)

・Analyze and screen
・Design product and processes

Week 10：Product Architecture (4)

・Test product
・Introduce product to market

Week 11：Supply Chain (1)

Integrating Processes Along the Supply Chain (Wisner, Chapter 16)
・Identify key trading partners
・Establish supply chain strategies

Week 12：Supply Chain (2)

・Align key process objectives with supply chain strategies
・Develop performance measures

Week 13：Supply Chain (3)

・Group work

Week 14：Supply Chain (4)

・Assess and improve external process integration
・ Re-evaluate annually

・CLASS PREPARATION: An active learning approach requires students to prepare the readings and assignments BEFORE class. At a minimum students should be able to explain what are the 5W1H for each case study.

・GROUPWORK: Students should expect to allocate time outside of class to meet with their team members to discuss/prepare assignments. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

The readings for this course will either be available on-line, through the library and/or handouts.

Joel D. Wisner. 2016 Operations Management: A Supply Chain Process Approach. Sage ISBN 9781483383064

・Students will be graded based on the following criterions:

15% Class participation
10% Assignments and Group work
75% Module Reports (20%, 25% and 30%)

・Late submission of assignments will result in a lowering of a student's grade.

Revise syllabus to focus on design information, product architecture and supply chain

・Students are expected to bring to class a computer and/or smart phone to access the Internet.

・Students (or teams) should try to meet with the teacher F2F (face-to-face) and/or online at least once during the semester. Office hours will be announced at the first class.

Introduction to Operations Management or Teacher's permission

Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, it will be held online.