Department of Operations Management and Strategy

The Department of Operations Management and Strategy is part of the School of Management and covers two broad and related areas of business - the management of operations and supply chains, and the unique formulation of business strategy, such as entrepreneurship and international business. This combination allows the department to focus on how organizations efficiently produce goods and service (operations management) as well as how they plan and compete at a high level (strategy).

Academic Programs

Operations Management and Strategy offers an undergraduate concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management for the Business Administration BS degree. This concentration teaches students how to formulate strategies and manage processes in various industries to improve efficiency and quality. Topics covered include supply chain design, logistics, inventory management, lean operations, and quality control.

The department also offers an undergraduate concentration in International Business for the Business Administration BS degree. This concentration explores the complexities of doing business across borders, including topics like international trade, cross-cultural management, global marketing and finance, and the impact of international regulatory environments. Students learn about multinational enterprise strategy and how global economic dynamics influence company decisions. Those in the international business track are encouraged to study a foreign language and participate in study abroad programs.

Additionally, MBA students can choose to concentrate in Operations and Supply Chain Management, which provides deeper knowledge of managing production and distribution in a variety of industries. Coursework for MBA operations specialists includes supply chain analytics, operations strategy, project management, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Students learn to effectively manage complex operations environments, optimize supply networks, and implement process improvements using Six Sigma or similar methodologies. Alternatively, MBA students may pursue a concentration in International Management, which is made for those who wish to pursue careers in global companies or roles that require an international outlook. The International Management concentration is often taken as a dual-concentration alongside another functional area and includes courses on global strategy. MBA students in this track frequently have opportunities for overseas internships or short-term study trips to experience business practices in other countries.

The Supply Chain Management MS degree is another offering that teaches students how to make strategic decisions in global markets, logistics, and operations. With 30 credits taken over the one-year program, students may learn topics such as logistics management, supply chain and production analytics, and service management. Students also take a capstone involved with research or practice to apply the skills and knowledge learned throughout the program.

The PhD in Management has a concentration in Supply Chain and Operations Management, in which doctoral students pursue research in the area of strategic business operations and supply chain management at the global level. Focus areas for research may include sustainability in manufacturing, coordination of supply chain operations, and supply chain resilience.