ABSTRACT
To understand sustainable operations management, operations management generally is defined and described. As operations management often results in most of the cost of goods sold and services provided, it can be presumed to have a large impact on business environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Sustainability demands that operations management decisions be made considering costs and profit, but also equally or more importantly considering the environmental impact and social responsibility of those decisions. Sustainable operations start right with the design of the product, and balancing likely competing objectives becomes important. Next, the role of product recovery management is shown to have a positive impact on all three measures of people, planet, and profit. The choice of location and layout of facilities can be done considering workers, communities, and the environment. Human factors are essential, and designing jobs that are meaningful and empowering employees contribute greatly to the well-being of employees.
