Content modification in operation management over the last three decades

The objective of this research is to carry out a content analysis of operation management (OM) textbooks during the last three decades. Three sets of 11 textbooks each were included. The sets are compared in terms of the major topics represented. Detailed analysis of the textbooks identified 21 core OM topics, six methodological topics and six other general topics. Findings show that coverage of some OM related topics, were changed significantly over time, as well as the extent of coverage intensity. Also, a significant drop in the coverage intensity of methodological topics such as linear programming, queuing and simulation was identified.