Reference no: EM132217021

Module Overview

This Module focuses on the operations side of running a business. Every business should have a plan for product or service distribution and management of suppliers and inventory. In this module, you will discuss the factors that need to be considered while operating a business.

This module also focuses on the business management of employees. It deals initially with human resource management (HRM) processes, such as those related to hiring employees and building teams, the responsibilities of a manager to successfully maintain a good workforce, and the possible firing or laying off of employees.

Module Readings

Complete the following readings early in the module:

Module overview

From your course textbook, Entrepreneurship: Starting and operating a small business, read the following chapters:

Operating for Success

Management, Leadership, & Ethical Practices

From the Argosy University online library resources, read the following article:

Prater, E., & Ghosh, S. (2005). Current operational practices of U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe. Journal of Small Business Management, 43(2), 155-169.

Gaskill, L.R., Van Auken, H. E., & Manning, R. A. (1993). A factor analytic study of the perceived causes of small business failure. Journal of Small Business Management, 31(4), 18-31.

Module Conclusion

In this Module, you reviewed the operations management of any business that wants to succeed. Special attention was given to supply chain management, quality control, and use of technology to improve performance. You also discussed the management and leadership of successful businesses. You reviewed the importance of an efficient and effective HRM and the development of an ethical culture with a focus on the corporate social responsibility.

In this modules second assignment, you will deliver the fourth step toward preparing the business plan and submit it to the Assignment Titled: Business Plan Breakdown 4-The Operations Plan. You need to perform a complete evaluation of the operations of the future businesses and prepare an operations plan.

Assignment : Discussion-Ethics in Business

Tim Smith is purchasing a business named Underground Shoes and Accessories near Lutz, Florida. The business has had several brushes with the law during the past few years, dealing with claims of false advertising and wrongful termination of employees. As a result, Smith is concerned about the ethical culture of the firm.

In this assignment, you will review the concept of ethics discussed in this module to critically evaluate the existing or potential ethical problems in Smith's business and help him propose solutions to eliminate the problems.

Tasks:

Respond to the following points:

What specific techniques could Smith use to increase the emphasis on business ethics when he takes control of the firm? Explain.

What, in your opinion, can be done to improve the human resource management (HRM) of the firm, to avoid future legal problems?