The aim of the e-book is to present the theoretical, cognitive and practical aspects of the essence and complexity of operational management in a production company. The presented modern production methods together with the challenges and problems of contemporary enterprises should better help to understand the issues of sustainable development, with particular emphasis on waste. The book consists of six chapters devoted to relevant and topic issues relating to the core business of an industrial enterprise. Chapter 1 The nature of the industrial enterprise is an introduction to further considerations and deals with the essence of the basic aspects of the company. Both popular and less known definitions of an enterprise, its features, functions and principles of operation are presented. An important part of the chapter is the presentation and formulation of strategic, tactical and operational goals. Moreover, the division of enterprises is presented with the use of various criteria and the features of the industrial market, which make it distinct. Chapter 2 The operational management evolution and its role in the industrial enterprise discusses the evolution and concept of production and operational management. The management levels were also presented, indicating their most important functions. An integral part of the chapter is the essence of the production system, viewed through the prism of the five elements. Chapter 3 Functions and role in operations management presents the issues concerning the organization of production processes, production capacity and inventory management. This part also presents considerations on cooperation and collaboration between enterprises in the process of creating value. Chapter 4 Traditional methods used in operational activities focuses on methods such as benchmarking, outsourcing, core competences, JIT, MPR I and MRP II, as well as TQM and kaizen. Knowledge of these methods should contribute to understanding the activities of modern enterprises, the way of company functioning, the realization of production activities, as well as aspects related to building a competitive position. Chapter 5 Modern methods used in production-operations management discusses the less common and less frequently used production methods, based on a modern and innovative approach. In particular, it was focused on: Shop Floor Control and cooperative manufacturing, environment-conscious manufacturing (ECM) and life-cycle assessment ( LCA), waste management and recycling, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), virtual enterprise, World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and House of Quality (HOQ), theory of constraints (TOC), Drum Buffer Rope (DBR), group technology (GT) and cellular manufacturing (CM), Demand Chain Management and competitive intelligence (CI). In the last section discusses: the role of sustainable statistical process control and Computer-Aided Process Planning in context formatting of information management. Chapter 6 Problems of sustainable development and challenges related to production and operations management describes the problem and challenges related to production and operations activities. In particular, attention was paid to the threats related to changes in global warming, the growing scale of waste, or the processes of globalization. It was pointed out that the emerging problem may be both a threat and a chance for the development of enterprises. An integral part of the chapter are also considerations on technical progress, innovation and the importance of human capital in operational activities.

The book contains a series of eight long case studies on various business issues in emerging markets (for instance Polish, Chinese, Nigerian). The authors focus on a variety of topics from marketing, through business operations, finance, leadership, innovation, business development, internationalization and decisions to human resources management. Also, the perspective of the analyzed issues is varied, in the initial case studies, the microeconomic approach dominates, then the mezoeconomic and macroeconomic approach. The team of authors included both academics, with extensive teaching experience in English-speaking studies, and business practitioners whose practical knowledge allows them to explore contemporary business challenges in emerging markets. We are putting this book in the hands of lecturers and students of economics, finance, and management, believing that it will be a source of inspiration, discussion and will allow to better explore contemporary business. At the same time, we hope that by offering this book, we are filling a gap in the publication market, which has been dominated by case studies dedicated to well-known companies, well-known brands, and mature markets.

Contemporary organizations operate in an increasingly turbulent environment that generates not only predictable changes, but also “black swans”. Winning organisations must be agile, flexible and constantly learning. Changes in the management system cover each of its components, from strategy, through systems, processes, structure, staff, organisational culture and other elements. The management science follow changes both in business environment and in management of organisations. The most important trends are described and new theories emerge. The monograph includes 29 articles written by 50 authors presenting different theoretical and empirical studies. In five parts of that book the most important challenges and trends concerning strategie management; modern approaches, methods and measures in management; sustainability and CSR; HR Management; and other were indicated. We believe that content of that book leads us to better understanding challenges and trends of contemporary organisations and management.