With its abundance of step-by-step solved problems, concepts, and examples of major real-world companies, this text brings unparalleled clarity and transparency to the course. In the new Fourth Edition, all aspects of operations management are explained-its critical impact in today's business environments, its relation to every department in an organization, and the importance of an integrated supply chain focus. Quantitative and qualitative topics are balanced, and students are guided through the coursework that will help lay the foundations for their future careers.