Since the operations manager of today is faced with global scenarios, people and cultural skills have become more critical for success than analytical tools in a global 21st century. The main themes in production and operations management are operations strategy, productivity, and quality. These themes are manipulated to serve those involved in production and operations management including employees, customers, and owners. Experienced operations managers recognize that they accomplish their goals through people, and that the skills in dealing with people are often neglected. This operations book focuses on a new type of human-centered production management designed to broaden the operations managers' thinking in the human interactions area, and to expand problem-solving processes geographically from domestic to global.

This work should be of interest to CEOs and corporate and departmental executives who deal with operations and productions. Individuals in academic areas dealing with management, operations management, international business, and organizational behavior should also find this book of interest.

The first survey text of its kind to provide a comprehensive treatment of the relationship between business and sustainability, Sustainability: Essentials for Business gives students a thorough understanding of the complex interaction between the needs of society versus the ecological limits on natural resources. Part I provides readers with a foundation for developing a clear understanding of the major issues confronting our natural resources, such as wasted resources and polluted environments. Part II, Renewable Resources, discusses natural resources such as air, water, forests, soil, biodiversity, and energy to provide students with a starting point so that the later chapters on environmental challenges can be framed within an appropriate context. Part III, Stakeholder Interest and Choices, presents stakeholder perspectives such as the role of consumers, the role of corporations, and the role of governments and NGOs. This section also includes a comprehensive discussion of strategies and frameworks used to understand and implement sustainability. Part IV, Strategies for a Sustainable Future, presents chapters on reporting and measurement, carbon markets, the design of sustainable cities, and green marketing. This must-read text focuses on the three "Ps": planet, people, and profit.

Covering the most critical topics and strategies in the field, Essentials of Operations Management provides business students with the most up-to-date coverage of modern topics not always found in other texts, such as human resources in operations, facility location, "green" operations, and the balanced scorecard approach to operations. Author Scott Young draws on his many years of teaching experience at both the undergraduate and MBA level to provide the essential content necessary for success in operations-in an affordable text. Key Features Includes a complete chapter (Chapter 4) on managing the operations workforce-an important topic for the well-rounded operations manager Applies "The Balanced Scorecard" approach to operations in Chapter 5, introducing students to a performance measure that balances customer, internal processes and learning and growth measures against traditional financial measures Covers sustainable operations in Chapter 7, including discussions of "green" operations and why they are important for any new operations manager Includes end-of-chapter projects and exercises that help students apply concepts to real-life situations Provides students with ample review opportunities through additional end-of-chapter features such as review questions, key terms, and summary points Instructor Resources on CD include PowerPoint (R) slides, chapter overviews, lecture outlines, review questions, and additional cases. Essentials of Operations Management is appropriate for undergraduate or MBA students taking Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, or Operations Strategy courses in schools of business.