Choosing an MBA specialty is influenced by various factors, including your career objectives, hobbies, and current employment market conditions. Both HR and Operations are excellent MBA concentrations, with distinct benefits and chances for career and pay advancement. The way businesses work is changing. Companies throughout the world are recognizing the importance of putting people first. It is the era of the employee experience, and employees have become an important part of the economy. As a result of this transformation, the "Operations" approach to workforce management has grown in popularity.
To put it simply, Operations, or just Operations, is a strategy approach to employment that prioritizes people and views development, well-being, and outcomes holistically. It all comes down to fostering an atmosphere and culture that makes workers happy to work for their company.
While the strategy is under HR's purview regarding ensuring that a business's infrastructure functions properly, Operations is more concerned with the human aspect of people management. For instance, it involves organizing and enhancing every activity that boosts workers' work productivity, from when they are employed until they quit. To do this, corporate procedures are made more human, and staff retention, growth, and engagement are consistently enhanced.
Specializations at Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth's Centre of Online Learning (DPU-COL)
MBA in Human Resource Management
The Online MBA in HRM is a great way to ignite your career journey in human resources. The course provides its students with precise knowledge, learning support, and excellent career guidance leading to career advancement. DPU-COL’s Online MBA gives an in-depth knowledge of Manpower Planning, Compensation Management, Performance & Potential Management, Labour Laws, Training & Development, Organizational Design, Development & Change management. This course equips the learner with the latest HR techniques and their implementation that can help them to grow in the real business world. Learn about the Future of HR Predictions and Trends for 2024 in our blog section!
MBA in Operations Management
Operations management refers to the supervision of various business tasks to achieve the highest productivity possible inside an organization. It is required in every industry and field. DPU-COL’s online MBA in Operation Management gives an insight into the workings of this department. The course develops the management and leadership skills in the learner so that they can easily handle the situation on the production front. After the course completion learners can find it easy to handle the logistics and supply chain management so that maximum productivity can be achieved with minimum effort.
Human Resources vs Operations Management
Human Resources (HR) and Operations are two distinct departments. While HR is primarily concerned with legal compliance, ethics, and employee structure organization, Operations is more concerned with outcomes and methods for successful management and employee engagement.
While HR managers are well-equipped to oversee administrative tasks and manage employee-related matters, operations teams go above and above by emphasizing the total employee experience. Stated differently, PO is about people, whereas HR is about policy. Furthermore, these variations show how corporate culture has generally shifted from one of compliance to one of liberty.
Building a culture with defined boundaries and open procedures is the foundation of operations, ensuring that your staff members are aware of what is expected of them at every point of the employment lifecycle. All facets of the employee lifecycle are covered, including hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, promotions, and rewards.
Functions and Accountabilities in Operations
Most likely, you are aware of the duties and responsibilities of the HR manager job as well as the soft skills needed to oversee the HR division, but do you also know about the range of roles that make up the Operations team? Additionally, every position in this area is in charge of several crucial tasks that a corporation must do. Additionally, each calls for particular abilities, traits, and credentials.
A tiny firm might simply need an operations manager. If your company is large, though, you will most likely gain by having a separate PO department with a variety of responsibilities, each with a clear career path.
Let's quickly review some of these positions and their main duties.
Manager of Operations
Similar to a project manager, an operations manager oversees the entire performance of the team. The PO manager's primary goal is to support the long-term growth and well-being of staff members so that everyone on the team feels empowered and appreciated.
Excellent people management abilities, the capacity to supervise, coach, and mentor remotely, as well as knowledge and expertise in the areas of employee relations, organizational growth, remuneration, and training and development, are requirements.
Director of Operations
The duties of an Operations Director include managing, supervising, and providing guidance to the whole team. At every level of the company, their primary responsibility is to create and implement a people strategy that enhances and supports the employee experience via policy. They support team leaders and corporate executives while advocating for the company culture, which helps the business expand and thrive.
The capacity to question established methods and the will to develop original strategies are necessary, as is a solid grasp of GDPR and other HR-related data protection regulations.
Operations Manager
An operations consultant evaluates the performance of the business and pinpoints areas in need of development. This crucial position in the operations team works closely with all team leaders to coordinate workforce management initiatives that enhance the employee experience. Creating people strategy audits, hiring and branding, and putting the appropriate tools and technology in place are among the responsibilities.
Critical thinking, strategic planning, communication, and interpersonal skills are necessary. Strong problem-solving and communication abilities are also required, as is prior project management and consulting experience.
Coordinator of Operations
An operations coordinator helps with project management and handles administrative tasks. Ensuring the smooth running of the company's daily operations is the PO Coordinator's primary duty. They work together to optimize processes and are a vital part of the Operations team.
Requirements include being detail-oriented, dedicated to giving workers the greatest experience possible, and employee-focused.
Analyst of Operations
An operations analyst is in charge of investigating, determining, and suggesting fixes for technological problems. Overseeing the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is the primary responsibility of a PO Analyst, ensuring that every PO team member has immediate access to insightful workforce data. Data integrity and legal compliance are therefore guaranteed. It also supports the greatest possible employee experience and helps other PO team members promote good change.
One of the responsibilities is to test and install new systems to assist HR procedures. This covers systems for payroll, platforms for performance management, measures for measuring employee engagement, and systems for development and feedback.
Excellent communication skills, familiarity with statistical and database applications, and a strong aptitude for analysis and problem-solving are prerequisites.
When deciding between the two, keep the following things in mind
Specialization In Human Resource Management
- Fit for individuals with an interest in the field.
- imparts information and abilities in areas including labor legislation, employee engagement, performance evaluation, talent management, and pay and benefits.
- provides employment possibilities in a range of industries, including manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and consulting.
- As talent management and employee engagement become more important, there will likely be a greater need for HR specialists in the upcoming years.
- MBA holders in HR may make high money; payscale.com reports that the median annual compensation for HR managers in India is about 9 Lacs.
Specialization In Operations
- Fit for people with an interest in logistics, supply chain management, and production management.
- imparts information and abilities in areas including supply chain management, logistics management, project management, quality assurance, and process optimization.
- Offers possibilities to work in different areas, including manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, and logistics, among others.
- In the upcoming years, there will likely be a greater need for operations specialists due to the expansion of e-commerce and supply chain management.
- Operations experts with an MBA may make a nice living; payscale.com reports that the median annual compensation for operations managers in India is about 8 Lacs.
You may have knowledge and expertise that apply to both operations and human resources given your eight years of experience in administration management. It is advised that you look into the particular positions and career paths offered by each specialization and select the one that best suits your interests, aptitudes, and professional objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between an MBA in HR and an MBA in Operations Management?
An MBA in HR focuses on employee relations, talent management, organizational behavior, and labor laws, whereas an MBA in Operations Management emphasizes supply chain management, logistics, process optimization, and quality assurance. HR is about managing people and compliance, while Operations is about managing processes and productivity.
Which MBA specialization is more in demand?
Both specializations are in demand but in different sectors. With the growing importance of employee experience, HR specialists are highly sought after. On the other hand, the rise of e-commerce and global supply chains has increased the demand for Operations specialists.
What are the career prospects for graduates of each specialization?
HR graduates can pursue careers as HR managers, talent acquisition specialists, employee relations managers, and compensation and benefits managers. Operations graduates can work as operations managers, supply chain managers, logistics managers, and project managers. Each offers robust career advancement opportunities.
Which specialization offers better salary prospects?
Both specializations offer competitive salaries. According to payscale.com, the median annual salary for HR managers in India is about 9 Lacs, while operations managers earn around 8 Lacs. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry.
Can I switch specializations during my MBA program?
Switching specializations depends on the university’s policies. Some programs allow flexibility, while others may require you to stick with your initial choice. It’s best to check with the specific institution offering the MBA program.
How do I decide which MBA specialization is right for me?
Consider your career goals, interests, and strengths. If you enjoy working with people and managing employee relations, an MBA in HR may be suitable. If you prefer optimizing processes and managing logistics, an MBA in Operations Management might be a better fit.
What industries can I work in with an MBA in HR or Operations Management?
With an MBA in HR, you can work in various industries such as manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and consulting. An MBA in Operations Management opens opportunities in manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, logistics, and more.
Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in an MBA in HR or Operations Management?
Most MBA programs require a bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience. Some programs may also require GMAT or GRE scores. Specific prerequisites can vary, so it’s important to check the admission requirements of the particular MBA program you are interested in.