case study - wyatt earp
There are many levels of importance to successful logistics with respect to operations and supply chain management. These range from efficiency and effective operations to focused strategy and planning. Our authors define operations management as the design, operation and improvement of the systems that create and the deliver the firms primary products and services (Jacobs & Chase, 2010). During the late 1800’s, Wyatt Earp was not only a legendary gunfighter and Marshal, he was a successful and innovative buffalo hunter. Although his methods were unconventional compared to his counter-parts, he employed strategic, efficient, and well planned processes when hunting buffalo. His methodology was not only well defined it yielded more net revenue than any other method used by other hunters.
At the age of 20 Wyatt Earp was considered to be “the best in the west” when referred to as a buffalo hunter. His unique approach was quite different than the other hunters. Wyatt had a clear understanding of how to efficiently operate and run his business of buffalo hunting. Other hunters would measure success merely by the number kills and the gross revenues received. However, Wyatt’s strategic approach to buffalo hunting was centered on maximizing net profits (after all hunting expenses are paid).
Operations and supply chain management as defined by Jacobs & Chase (2010) is broken down into several components; planning, sourcing, making, delivering and returning. Interestingly, Wyatt Earp employed many of these principles as his standard of methodology when hunting. This ensured the most efficient, cost effective method that would yield enough buffalo at the lowest possible cost.
The planning component of operations and supply chain management focuses on the processes necessary to operate a given function. Additionally, the planner must anticipate a firm number of anticipated products regarding consumer demand using available resources in the most effective manner possible to
At the age of 20 Wyatt Earp was considered to be “the best in the west” when referred to as a buffalo hunter. His unique approach was quite different than the other hunters. Wyatt had a clear understanding of how to efficiently operate and run his business of buffalo hunting. Other hunters would measure success merely by the number kills and the gross revenues received. However, Wyatt’s strategic approach to buffalo hunting was centered on maximizing net profits (after all hunting expenses are paid).
Operations and supply chain management as defined by Jacobs & Chase (2010) is broken down into several components; planning, sourcing, making, delivering and returning. Interestingly, Wyatt Earp employed many of these principles as his standard of methodology when hunting. This ensured the most efficient, cost effective method that would yield enough buffalo at the lowest possible cost.
The planning component of operations and supply chain management focuses on the processes necessary to operate a given function. Additionally, the planner must anticipate a firm number of anticipated products regarding consumer demand using available resources in the most effective manner possible to
References: Jacobs, F.R. (2010). Wyatt earp – the buffalo hunter. Retrieved from https://mycourses.excelsior.edu/courses/1/MBA.201403.BUS520.s30029726/content/_1 29453_1/Wyatt%20Earp.pdf Jacobs, F. R., & Chase, R. B. (2010). Operations and supply chain management (13th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin