Walmart Operations Management Essay

1. What activities are involved in the operation function? And how do operations interact with other functional areas?

Operation function is vast, and for various organization like manufacturing, service, construction and education. The function of operation is similar for every organization by collaborating with other business sub unit for the purpose of creating value for consumer in form of product or service. This is done through managing of resources, planning of production schedules, organizing and coordinating activities between suppliers and retailer, until the end-product reaches the consumer. According to (Russell&Taylor, 2009), which stated that activities in operations management (OM) also include processes selection, layouts planning,

Walmart conduct its activities daily by ensuring consumers can save money by its offering of low prices.

Assessing core competencies: In the U.S alone, there are so many companies into the retail business. Hence, for Walmart to be able to compete, the company has leveraged its core competencies in its supply chain efficiency by investing heavily in this core area of its business. Today, Walmart supply chain is one of the most advanced and efficient in the world designed to be able to meet customer demand in the shortest possible time and leveraged on eliminating inventory management delays by giving suppliers the direct access to manage orders.

Determining Order winners and order qualifiers: Walmart order qualifier tolerable quality, availability (a nearly impossible stock out on product) and large product offerings, stores are opened at all time. Also, order Winners includes low prices and store relative proximity to consumer.

Positioning of the firm: Walmart compete largely on cost, quality and flexibility with its competitors such as Target, Dollar tree and Burlington

Vision Statement: "To be the best quick service restaurant experience". Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile.

Macdonald’s relates its mission and vision statement with its core strategy. Macdonald has a brand image as a top choice in the fast food industry based on the low cost it offers on its products and the opportunity to buy more with less, thereby offering great value at a quick and fast delivery time. While, the vision statement is well aligned with its vision of remaining customer’s first choice. To remain as the first choice, service needs to be efficient and continuously improved. This can be seen in its drive-thru service method and the reduced cycle time for its