2.1 ways in which businesses can improve productivity/ 2.2 ways buienesses structure the working enviroment

Question 1

what is efficiency

Answer 1

Efficiency is about producing goods without wasting any resources such as time, effort and money.

Question 2

what is productivity

Answer 2

Productivity is used to measure efficiency. The idea is to:​

increase your output (final product) &​

decrease your input (resources)​

without jeopardising the quality of the output

Question 3

investment in applications of technology

Answer 3

Technology assists manufacturing industries to ​produce products in greater quantity​ of consistent quality ​and in shorter production time.

Question 4

what is innovation

Answer 4

The introduction of new things or methods; improving the current work practices, procedures and products.

Question 5

what is capital investment in equipment and faculties

Answer 5

Equipment and facilities need to be regularly maintained and also replaced.​

Efficiency can also be increased by​

- redesigning workstations​

- moving equipment to create a more logical​

  flow​

- assessing the best storage areas for stock

Question 6

what is just in time inventory management system

Answer 6

• An inventory management system that aims to avoid holding any stock (inputs or finished products). ​
• Supplies arrive just as needed for production and finished products are immediately dispatched or sold to customers.

Question 7

Just in time inventory management systems

Answer 7

BENEFITS​

No need to pay for storage​

No out-of-date stock​

No stock loss due to theft

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS​

Insufficient stock increase in Efficient inventory control necessary

Question 8

what is training and upskilling the workforce

Answer 8

Well-trained, motivated and loyal workforce increase in More productive and efficient workforce​

Multiskilled employees increase in More flexible, creative and innovative workforce​

Valued employees increase in More willing to adapt to change

Question 9

difference in multiskilling and up-skilling the workforce

Answer 9

Up-skilling:​ Improving on a skill you already have or learning a new aspect of that skill.​

​

Multi-skilling:​ Having skills in different but related areas. This makes you more efficient and proficient at various tasks.

Question 10

what is a business structure

Answer 10

It is important for businesses to have an organisational structure in place. ​

Organisation structure = how a business organises their employees​

An organisation structure determines:​

• Who does what​
• Who is responsible for whom and for what​
• Who makes the decisions

Question 11

features of hierarchal business structure

Answer 11

Large businesses tend to use the hierarchical structure (also known as the vertical structure).​

Features: ​

Employees are arranged into layers and levels from senior management​

Positions, roles and responsibilities are clearly identifiable ​

Span of control (number of employees reporting to a manager) is clearly defined​

Centralised decision-making (most decisions are made by senior management)

Question 12

what is features of flatter organisational structures

Answer 12

Smaller businesses tend to use the flatter structure.​

Features: ​

Improved communication due to fewer layers of staff​

Employees are now involved in the decision making​

Increased use of employee knowledge, skills and experience​

Workers feel greater levels of empowerment and motivation

Question 13

what are the features of the network structure

Answer 13

​

Features: ​

Functions are outsourced (outside the company)​

Flexible and can adapt to changes in consumer demand and choices

Question 14

what are the features of the matrix structure

Answer 14

Often used when businesses are undertaking a project or an assignment​

Features: ​

Forms a team of specialists from different functional areas (e.g. marketing, finance)​

Improved communication channels​

Interdepartmental rivalries (competition between departments are reduced​

Increased number of innovations being put forward due to the ‘cross-pollution’ of ideas

Question 15

what is the matrix structure defined

Answer 15

A matrix Structure involves teams with specialists from different functional areas

Question 16

what is the flatter structure defined

Answer 16

A flatter structure
Structure has the workforce organised in layers, but with only a few levels between senior managers and frontline workers.

Question 17

what is the hierarchal structure defined

Answer 17

A Hierarchal Structure has employees arranged in layers from senior management down
To frontline workers, with clearly identifiable organisational positions.

Question 18

what is the network structure defined

Answer 18

A network Structure means that the business outsources a number of its functions to
Outside businesses