Operations Management - Considering Birmingham International Airport by Johnston - Article Example

Name Institutional Affiliation Date A Case Study on Operations Management: Considering the Case of Birmingham International Airport by Johnston et. al (25-28) The operations management at the airports is a fascinating and yet a challenging task that requires special attention and consideration as expressed in the case of Birmingham International Airport by Johnston et. al. (25-28). From the perspective of the realization of this case, lots of human’s efforts and help are necessary. Thus, the management of the operations in the international airports should be planned, taking into account all necessary steps that need to be completed to ensure the safety of the population. Therefore, this paper addresses, in the light of the case, some of the key roles of the operations management, the responsibilities of operations director and the challenges faced. Further, the paper explores the relationship between day-to-day tasks and the long-term issues, and how the operations director goes about in overseeing both. Key Functions of Operations Management at the Airport First and foremost, the most important function of the airport operations management is to oversee the day-to-day airport activities and participate in short to long-term planning processes (Johnston et. al., 25). This cuts across several areas such as managing the security systems, baggage handling, issuing tickets, agreeing on the allocation of slots, and managing terminal buildings. The security function can be explained in the light of the prohibition of the transfer of dangerous subjects. While executing their duties in the field of security, airport officers try to prevent potentially dangerous situations that may occur in the aircraft or in the country depending on the direction of the suspected person (whether one is entering to the country or leaving it). The success of the airport security in this particular field ensures that the potential danger of illegal activities both in the airplanes and in the country is reduced. Thus, as the functions of the airport operations management can be deemed as the protection of the airport and the country from unlawful and dangerous acts and to guarantee safe conditions of flight. Besides, operations management in this field requires the application of appropriate procedures for emergency situations. Secondly, another important function of the airport operations management is delivery of proper service to customers. Proper service includes availability of any information for the needs of the customers; such information should be provided by the information desks situated in the different parts of the airport. It also includes the baggage handling which ensure the checking and dispatching of the baggage to the airplane. Another function of the airport operations is flight management to avoiding any unnecessary delays of flights. Moreover, in the 21-st century, when the population rapidly grows and the amount of flights and departures increase, operations management has to ensure the presence of so many people in the premises of the airports. Thus, this requires lots of work to be done by the airport management authorities. Key Responsibilities and Main Issues Faced by Operations Director while Managing the Airport The operation director of the airport is responsible for the organization and supervision of the daily work of the airport officers. The director has lots of responsibilities such as the administration of the flight schedules, overseeing the staff, and coordinating the relationship with the merchants (Johnston et. al., 26). Moreover, the director should be aware of the daily obligations and responsibilities of all the departments of the airport. They are accountable for ensuring the compliance of the activities of the airport and its officers to the state legal acts. They are obliged to make observance in the internal departments and also towards the merchants for the compliance of their activities to the legal acts, moreover the managers sometimes have to participate in different forums and conferences in order to have up to date information about the existing legal acts and their amendments. The managers bear the obligation of maintenance of the property belonging to the Airport and ensuring that all the officers and employees comply with their responsibilities in an appropriate manner. The operations directors have financial responsibilities as well. They are personally accountable for the financial interests and welfare of the airport facility. Among other different responsibilities, yearly budgets, payments from the capital and long-standing enlargement of fiscal goals are the most significant obligations under their responsibility. Since operations directors are the persons who actualize the supervision of all the departments of the facility, they are responsible for accepting all the persons who are not satisfied with the service of the airport authorities. Moreover, they should be asked to interfere in all situations related to the irritated or upset customers. Eventually, they must organize daily interactions with the customers for feedback and find solutions for the existing problems. Operations directors are personally held liable for the admission and the workload organization of the employees. This responsibility assumes effective control over the employees, assesses their performance, and disciplines the employees when necessity arises. The airport operations directors must arrange trainings and meetings with the employees and are held responsible for non-compliance with the requirements of employees. Operations directors bear responsibility regarding the field of media as well. They should be in contact with the representatives of media. It is compulsory for the airport managers to speak to the representatives of media in case of emergencies (Johnston et. al., 26-28) In case of amendments in the airport regulations and policy or in the safety measures, they might have to organize public speaking to ensure the awareness of the public. Though the fact that airport facilities usually have media departments and the heads of such departments usually have to organize meetings and present reports , however, from time to time, airport managers ought to organize such meetings as well. The mains issues the airport operations directors are faced with are the constant increase of the demand which forces them to add the airport’s capacity. Other issues arise due to insecurity. In some cases people try to cross with unlawful documents or objects that may put a country in danger. Therefore, at this level, the directors must work with other government security agencies to arrest unlawful acts. Relationship between Day-to-day tasks and Long-term Issues and how both are Managed by Operations Director Day-to-day tasks entail management of customer influx, discipline of employers, inspection and overall financial controls. Such problems are bound to repeat themselves in the future either in the same way or in another form if long-term measures are not sought. In most cases, the directors focus on a temporary solution to them to satisfy customers but also make note of them and work toward providing permanent solutions to them. Long-term issues are dealt with through measures such as policy amendments, construction of additional capacity and employment of additional personnel. Employee training is part of long-term strategy to curb the issue of service delivery. Therefore, while solving the Day-to-day tasks, the directors must lay plans for dealing with the future problems. Early planning is key is handling future problems at the airport. What is more, long-term issues fall under the category of complex issues that may not have an immediate solution as compared to day-to-day tasks. Operations directors at the airport bear responsibilities of performing the daily tasks and planning how to handle long-term issues (Johnston et. al., 25). They perform the daily tasks with the help of the huge employees who work under them in different departments and who report their performance the director. The employees should actualize all the obligations that need to be done as per their job descriptions. Further, the director is a specialized professional who can execute the supervisory roles, make recommendations and adjustments where necessary. In other words, the director must be highly qualified in terms of both skills and experience. The size of day-to-day task varies and may arise unawares whereas long-term issues can be pre-determined out of the day-to-day tasks. Conclusion There are lots of functions that should be realized by the airport operations management and the operations directors. The functions cut across supervisory, policy changes, security, advisory, and communication to general public for awareness. These functions can also fall into the broad category of long-term tasks and short-term task. While some of the short-term tasks may be impromptu, the long-term focuses on measures than can avoid their future occurrence. Work Cited Top of Form Johnston, Robert, Harland, Christine M., Chambers, Stuart, Slack, Nigel & Harrison, Alan. Cases in Operations Management (3rd ed.). Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2003. Print Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More