An innovative approach to operations management building partnerships with local professionals

Abstract The Operations Management (OM) course is often the first in-depth investigation for students into the OM world. The material can be confusing because it is often delivered as compartmentalized concepts in strategy, demand management, accounting, human resources, economics, etc. Our students do not understand the interdepartmental and interpersonal aspects of the OM, because there are so many people and variables that go into building robust OM policies and processes. Building on the research on learning styles for the emerging adult, this paper describes an innovative approach to integrate the jobs and concepts common to the OM world. This paper proposes that partnerships with local business professionals will increase student learning.