HSC Topic 1 Flashcards
(88 cards)
operations
the business processes that involve transformation or, more generally, ‘production’
strategic
refers to long-term, broad aims affecting all key business areas; that is, the strategic role of each key business function involves the managers of each function contributing to the strategic direction or strategic plan of the business
cost leadership
involves aiming to have the lowest costs or to be the most price-competitive in the market
product differentiation
distinguishing products (goods or services) in some way from those of competitors
cost centres
particular areas, departments or sections of a business to which costs can be directly attributed
cost leadership
involves aiming to have the lowest costs or to be the most price-competitive in the market
economies of scale
Cost advantages that can be created as a result of an increase in the scale of business operations
standardisation
refers to the making of products that are homogenous or identical
product differentiation
distinguishing products (goods or services) in some way from those of competitors
performance objectives
goals that relate to particular aspects of the transformation processes
quality (performance objective)
determined by consumer expectations and informs the product standards applied by the business
speed
refers to the time it takes for the production and the operations process to respond to changes in market demand
dependability
refers to how consistent and reliable a business’s products are
flexibility
how quickly operations processes can adjust to changes in the market
customisation
refers to creation of individualised products to meet the specific needs of the customers
mass customisation
a process that allows a standard, mass-produced item to be personally modified to specific customer requirements
cost
as a performance objective, refers to the minimisation of expenses so that operations processes are conducted as cheaply as possible
standardised goods
those that are mass produced, usually on an assembly line. Standardised goods are uniform in quality and meet a predetermined level of quality. They are generally produced with a production focus
customised goods
those that are varied according to the needs of customers. These goods are produced with a market focus rather than a production focus
interdependence
the mutual dependence that the key business functions have on one another
globalisation
refers to the removal of barriers of trade between nations. Globalisation is characterised by an increasing integration between national economies and a high degree of transfer of capital (facilities and/or machinery), labour, intellectual capital and ideas, financial resources and technology
offshore outsourcing
involves taking the activities to a provider in another country
technology
the design, constructure and/or application of innovative devices, methods and machinery in operations processes
quality (expectations)
a specific reference to how well designed, well made and functional goods are, and the degree of competence with which services are organised and delivered