business studies - case studies

Question 1

Monitoring Control and Improvement

Answer 1

Mcdonalds
- consistently measuring, analysing and aiming to enhance current operations procedures
- an example includes their drive through waiting time of 99 seconds.
- If not achieved they may have to change process layout or find other ways to improve

Question 2

Quality Management

Answer 2

Mcdonalds
- The use of HACCP (hazard analysis critical control point) uses quality assurance methods of implementing and improving food security methods, such as food holding temperatures.
- Use of BSI (British standards institution) also allows them to use quality assurance as the company hires external assistance in McDonalds supplier food safety and excellence.

Question 3

Outsourcing

Answer 3

Apple
- Apple began outsourcing manufacturing to a Taiwanese company, Foxconn in 2004 and does so to achieve lower costs and higher quality. through lower pay rates and a specialised company undergoing the manufacturing procedures

Question 4

New Product or Service Design and Development

Answer 4

Epic Games
- Epic Games consistently engages in new product design and development by introducing new ‘seasons’ or versions of their Battle Royale game every 2-3 months. Their game consists of a map which players fight on and cosmetics available for purchase which are always updated and changed to keep players engaged.
- Most prominently, their introduction of ‘OG’ or original fortnite, saw 44.7 million players log in on November 3rd to play this new design. This came with an old map, loved by the community which was unavailable since 2018, making it very popular amongst the players.

Question 5

Technology, Task design and process layout

Answer 5

Amazon
- Technology through ai and machine learning help improve efficiency within their fulfilment centres by help forecast demand, aiding in reducing wastage and over/understock.
- Task design in these stores is broken down into simple repeatable steps which enables employees to swiftly complete tasks, set up to streamline operations
- Process layout cooperates with task design to facilitate the swift flow of goods, allowing for efficiency.

Question 6

Sequencing and Scheduling

Answer 6

Tesla
- used to help increase productivity and smooth operations in manufacturing. Through the use of Gantt charts for example, Tesla has seen a 15% reduction in the average time required for component manufacturing by mid 2019.

Question 7

CSR

Answer 7

Mcdonalds
- The activities of a business driven towards not for profit outcomes that recognise the interests of their broad range of stakeholders.
- The influence of CSR at Mcdonalds is seen through its store and operations withdrawal from Russia in May 2022, following their war with Ukraine.
- They sold 850 stores and lost an estimated $55 million dollars a month since ceasing operations

Question 8

Globalisation

Answer 8

Apple
-increased ease and speed of the transportation of information, people and resources as a result of the elimination of trade borders between nations.
- Apple has been significantly affected by globalisation through how they source their components for all products, most notably the iPhone. They source 98% of components or 200 components for the phone overseas to lower costs and improve quality, as of 2022

Question 9

Cost - Based Competition

Answer 9

Southwest Airlines
- Refers to the impact of businesses competing for market share by focusing on minimising production expenses and lowering overall costs more than competitors.
- Does this by consistently achieving the lowest costs for operations. In 2021 they achieved a Cost per available seat mile of 10.67 cents, significantly lower than the North American infustry average of 14.23 cents.