The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of systematic application of operations management decision-making techniques on the financial performance of small firms. Data was gathered from a large number of firms through questionnaires to determine if those firms consciously employed any decision making tools in each of eleven operations management activities. A secondary purpose of the research was to explore the nature of operations management activities in the non-manufacturing environment. The results of this exploratory research provide an impetus for further study of operations management in both the small business environment and the non-manufacturing sector of the economy.
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