It all began with the Industrial Revolution --- people moved from hand labor to machine production. Frederick W. Taylor introduced methods to measure and optimize work. Later, Henry Ford's assembly line made mass production possible. Post WWII, Japanese firms like Toyota introduced ideas like Just In Time and Total Quality Management, shifting focus to both efficiency and quality.
Modern Times
Today, operations management includes automation, big data, and connected systems --- often called Industry 4.0. Sustainability also matters more now: companies aim to be efficient while reducing environmental impact.
A Simple Example
Think about a small family food stall: too much stock waste; too little unhappy customers. Managing inventory, tracking sales, and adjusting purchases are basic operations tasks --- same principles as big factories, scaled down.
Why Students Should Care
Knowing operations helps you spot process improvements, save costs, or start your own small business. It's practical, hands-on knowledge.
Wrap-up
From steam engines to AI, operations keeps evolving. Learn the history and principles, and you'll be better prepared to contribute real improvements in any workplace.
Referensi (Minimal 3)
Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson.
