Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management, 6th edition

Published by Pearson (April 14, 2026) © 2027
  • Robert B. Handfield
  • Frank Montabon
  • Cecil C. Bozarth

Title overview

For operations management (OM) and supply chain management (SCM) courses.

Comprehensive yet succinct OM and SCM coverage

Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management covers the increasing impact of supply chains on business outcomes, consumer product satisfaction, and technology and innovation. Drawing from dozens of problem-solving frameworks, students learn to make connections between business needs and the tools and techniques of operations, purchasing and logistics.

The 6th Edition explores OM and SCM challenges in a post-COVID world, including climate change, geopolitical shifts and economic instability. New content addresses relevant challenges and opportunities presented by AI, machine learning, advanced analytics and evolving technologies.

Hallmark features of this title

Integrated presentation of OM and SCM

  • Tools and techniques of OM, purchasing and logistics are covered in the context of OM and SCM issues.
  • Dozens of problem-solving frameworks used by managers are covered, including the Six Sigma methodology, decision tree analysis and sourcing portfolio analysis.
  • At least 15 chapter-opening vignettes reflect challenging business conditions for operations and supply chain managers, such as AI, machine learning, advanced analytics and evolving technologies.

Application of tools and techniques

  • Solved problems with accompanying videos are used extensively as a method for gauging comprehension of concepts.
  • Homework problems offer a template as well as hints for checking answers.
  • Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheets help students systematically apply tools and techniques.

New and updated features of this title

Illustrations of concepts

  • EXPANDED: Supply Chain Connections boxes were added across chapters. New entries include “Mapping Supply Chains for Greater Resilience” and “The Los Angeles Port: A U.S. Economic Bottleneck.”
  • EXPANDED: Environmental, Social, and Governance boxes describe trends and cases. New examples include “The Growth of Green Chemicals” and “Low-Cost Country Sourcing and Human Rights.”
  • EXPANDED: New and updated case studies illustrate concepts and promote critical analysis. New cases include “Supply Chain Challenges at Allbirds” and “Netflix: From a Physical to a Virtual Supply Chain.”

Real examples and applications

  • EXPANDED: Professional Profiles feature supply-chain executives speaking on SCM leadership. The new interview subjects are from companies such as Project DXM, Merck and Restaurant Supply Chain.
  • NEW: Artificial intelligence is discussed in terms of its role in retailing, in sales and operations planning and as rational agents in OM and SCM.
  • NEW: New topics of interest include global sourcing, the impact of tariffs, sustainable food production and the role of the Internet of Things and RFID in supply-chain planning.

Key features

Features of MyLab Operations Management for the 6th Edition

  • Interactive Reading Assignments engage students through an integrated blend of narrative, media and assessment, while holding them accountable for coming to class prepared.
  • Mini Sims and OM Sims give students practical exposure to the real business challenges of various professional roles focused on project management.
  • Excel Projects use proven, field-tested technology to help students build key skills in Microsoft® Excel®. These auto-graded projects make it possible to seamlessly integrate Excel content into your course.
  • Using AI projects are ready-to-assign activities building the essential skills needed to use AI effectively in school and at work. The projects come with grading guidance and rubrics.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.
  • Case Studies are assignable, auto-gradable and title-specific text and video cases that challenge students to apply course concepts. You can swap out cases with any from the Case Study Library in MyLab.

Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for the 6th Edition

  • AI-powered study tool gives students access to an expert chatbot for personalized support, simplified explanations and guided practice.
  • Embedded questions let students check their understanding as they progress through the chapter, giving them a boost of confidence before moving on.
  • In the News boxes at the end of each chapter focus on current event applications of PM principles. Twice-annual updates will flow to the eTextbook, keeping the content as current as possible.
  • NEW: All-new Solved Problem Videos featuring the authors are included with this edition. Updated commentary and examples are provided alongside industry insights.
  • NEW: New interactive figures let students actively engage with topics such as performance dimensions, quality-related costs, the strategic sourcing process and selection of a forecasting method.

Table of contents

PART I: CREATING VALUE THROUGH OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAINS

  1. Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management
  2. Operations and Supply Chain Strategies

PART II: ESTABLISHING THE OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENT

  1. Process Choice and Layout Decisions in Manufacturing and Services
  2. Business Processes
  3. Managing Quality
  4. Managing Capacity

PART III: ESTABLISHING SUPPLY CHAIN LINKAGES

  1. Supply Management
  2. Logistics

PART IV: PLANNING AND CONTROLLING OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAINS

  1. Forecasting
  2. Sales and Operations Planning (Aggregate Planning)
  3. Managing Inventory throughout the Supply Chain
  4. Managing Production across the Supply Chain
  5. JIT / Lean Production

PART V: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCT/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

  1. Managing Projects
  2. Developing Products and Services

Author bios

About our authors

Robert Handfield is the Bank of America Professor and a Distinguished University Professor at N.C. State University. Handfield has consulted with more than 25 Fortune 500 companies, including Biogen Idec, Caterpillar, John Deere, GlaxoSmithKline, Boston Scientific, Delphi, Chevron, British Petroleum, Chevron Phillips, Bank of America, Sensata, Honda of America, KPMG, Conoco Phillips, Federal Express, SAP and others, and is a world-renowned expert in the areas of purchasing and logistics. Rob is the former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Operations Management and has written several books on SCM topics, including Introduction to Supply Chain Management (Pearson, with Ernest L. Nichols; translated into Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Indonesian), Supply Chain Redesign (Prentice Hall Financial Times) and Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 5th edition (South-Western College Publishing, with Robert M. Monczka, Larry C. Giunipero and James L. Patterson).

Frank Montabon is a Morrill Professor at Iowa State University (ISU), a career designation given by the university to a few professors each year for exhibiting excellence in teaching. Frank holds multiple supply chain certifications. Before entering academia, Frank was an information systems consultant focused on manufacturing and distribution firms. He has continued his consulting work while at ISU. He has been a part of the Certified in Production and Inventory Management committee for the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and is active in ASCM and Institute for Supply Management chapters. His research is focused on sustainability, and he currently serves as an Associate Editor for Decision Sciences and the Journal of Supply Chain Management, and on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Business Logistics, the International Journal of Integrated Supply Management and the Drake Management Review.

Cecil Bozarth was Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University, where he received awards for teaching excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was a former chair of the Operations Management Division of the Academy of Management, and in 1999 was recognized by APICS (now known as the Association for Supply Chain Management) as a subject matter expert (SME) in supply chain management. His areas of interest were operations and supply chain strategy and supply chain information systems. Cecil’s consulting experience cut across a wide range of industries, including such companies as BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Daimler-Benz, John Deere, Duke Energy, Eisai, Ford Motor Company, GKN, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Milliken, Patheon, Sonoco and others. For 13 years, Cecil was an associate editor for the Journal of Operations Management and later served on the journal’s editorial advisory board. Cecil also served as a guest editor for the Academy of Management Journal, as well as the Journal of Operations Management. Sadly, Cecil died on May 27, 2018. He is greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

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