Final answer:
Operations management includes tasks related to production such as buying materials, capacity planning, and scheduling but does not include E. preparing financial statements, which is a finance function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Operations management is a broad area in business that deals with the designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services.
It involves various tasks such as buying materials, capacity planning, and scheduling. However, motivating employees and training fall under the purview of human resources, while preparing financial statements is a finance function.
Therefore, the answer to the question, "Operations management encompasses all of the following EXCEPT," would be 'E. preparing financial statements.' This falls outside the typical scope of operations management.