Operations Management

A LEVEL BUSINESS STUDIES AND AVCE BUSINESS

Operations Management, Chris Vidler, (part of the 'Studies in Economics and Business' series), Heinemann, 2001, paperback, 121 pages, L6.99, ISBN 0-435-33225-2, Tel 01865 888058, http://www.heinemann.co.uk

Heinemann's 'Studies in Economics and Business' series is designed to support AS and A level courses. It is now also very relevant to the AVCE option units in Business. The book is very readable and provides up-to-date coverage of a range of functions and concepts in operations management. It both introduces the subject and provides depth not found in the generic course texts.

The topics covered include the input-output model of processing, costing and breakeven, location, planning and controlling operations, project management, managing inventory (stock control) and the full range of contemporary practices related to quality assurance - such as Kaizen, TQM, benchmarking and lean production.

Each of the nine chapters is devoted to one of the above areas and uses a variety of straightforward diagrams to illustrate the techniques or methods covered. The text is broken down into manageable 'chunks' through effective use of sub-headings, bold and bullet points. Each chapter also has a small box of 'key words', details of books for further reading, useful websites and typical questions for exam practice from all of the awarding bodies.

The book is designed to 'stimulate and challenge students.to think critically about business studies' and thereby 'help you get a better grade'. This has certainly been achieved in the final chapters on quality issues, where the introduction of Japanese models into a British culture is discussed 'critically and analytically'. The earlier chapters, however, are much more descriptive and do not really pave the way for the questions which follow. Conversely, for the AVCE student needing a more vocational approach, with the exception of critical path analysis, some of this description lacks the depth and detail required at this level. The case studies and data response questions would benefit from more focussed questions, perhaps differentiating between AS, A level and AVCE in their nature and approach.

The book would have benefited from more rigorous proof reading. It is somewhat ironic to find so many typographical errors in a text which devotes so much of its content to quality assurance!

In spite of my minor criticisms, I shall certainly be keeping a copy of this book handy. It neatly covers all of the operations management content in one small volume, and at L6.99 is good value. For student use, probably a class set would be the most cost-effective way of providing a specialist source of information when this area of the syllabus is being studied. It will certainly be my first port of call when next preparing materials on critical path analysis and stock control.

Jill Turner, AQA Principal Examiner for AVCE option unit 'Managing Production',

Resources Manager for Business and Economics Education, Institute of Education