Operational Definition

Question 1

Students will select a topic of concern from their own interest and/or from their practice setting. They will then utilize the semester to create elements of an original research proposal that evaluates or explores their chosen population and practice issue and propose a line of inquiry that will answer their proposed research question. Details of this assignment will be discussed extensively in class.

A description of each part of the assignment follows. These three parts of your research proposal will be carried forward to SW 750 (Advanced Research Methods), during which you will write additional sections toward completion of a final Research Proposal. Part 1 is a review of two research articles.Part 2 is an introduction for your research proposal that includes a synthesis of the theoretical frameworks, review of literature (five research articles, including the two articles from Part 1), and critique (strengths and limitations) of those.

This assignment concludes with a statement of purpose for your study.Part 3 is an integration of the critique provided by your instructor for Parts 1 and 2 of your proposal, to include strengthening and/or refining your literature review. Part 3 will also include your research question, hypothesis, the independent and dependent variables, and an operational definition of the independent and dependent variable(s)

Question 2

You are required to interview the person responsible for operations function in your company or a company of your choice and write a report based on the interview. The following questions should serve as a guideline for the interview:

1. What is your position called in the company, and where is it located on the organisational structure?
2. Would you describe your role in the company?
3. From your experience, how has the role of the operations manager changed in the last few years (in terms of scope, content, and complexity)?
4. Would you describe your company’s operations strategy?
5. How are you responding to the winds of change blown from the notion and reality of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR)?
6. What do you think is the future of operations management in your company and industry?

Following these questions, do your own analysis of the interview. The analysis may include at what point you think the company is on the lifecycle of operations, and why? Also do an analysis of other aspects of operations strategy?