Digital Product Cycle Approach to a Circular Economy

SCIT had the privilege of hosting a thought-provoking guest lecture by Dr. Ramesh Subramaniom, Professor of Practice in Operations Management and Director of Undergraduate Research at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas, USA. The session was introduced by Dr. Vijay Kumar Bharati, who provided an insightful background on Dr. Subramaniom’s expertise and contributions to the field.

The lecture focused on circular economies and their crucial role in fostering sustainable economic growth. Dr. Subramaniom delved into key concepts like re-manufacturing and the significance of standardization in products, citing ANSI as an essential regulatory framework. He emphasized the necessity of having standardized processes to maintain quality and efficiency in production and operations.

A highlight of the session was the discussion on Amazon’s operational excellence. Dr. Subramaniom illustrated how the e-commerce giant effectively manages customer experiences, streamlines its operational workflows, and continuously innovates using data analytics. However, he also cautioned against the potential misuse of data, bringing to light ethical considerations in modern business practices.

Another intriguing aspect of the lecture was exploring the product life cycle in design and engineering. Dr. Subramaniom explained the different stages of a product’s life cycle, emphasizing that some products maintain relevance for over a decade. He underscored the importance of understanding these stages to enhance product longevity and sustainability.

The session was highly engaging, offering students a comprehensive understanding of contemporary business challenges and the role of operations management in addressing them. SCIT thanks Dr. Ramesh Subramaniom for sharing his invaluable insights and enriching the academic discourse on sustainable business practices.