Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is a production paradigm?
Network of interdependent elements of a production system, shaping how production is organized and managed.
What are the main elements of a production paradigm?
- Management principles 2. Relations to customers and suppliers 3. Organization of workers (e.g., unions) 4. Education 5. Macroeconomic factors.
How do industrial revolutions influence production paradigms?
Each industrial revolution introduced technologies and methods that reshaped production systems:
1. Industrial Revolution (1st): Mechanized production (e.g., weaving looms).
2. Technological Revolution (2nd): Mass production with assembly lines and economies of scale (Fordism).
3. Digital Revolution (3rd): Flexible manufacturing with modularity and customization.
4. AI Revolution (4th and 5th): Integration of physical and digital systems using IoT, AI, and cloud computing.
What is Fordism, and how does it function as a production paradigm?
Fordism is a system of mass production characterized by assembly lines, vertical integration, and standardized production. Key features include:
Management: Standardized processes.
Relations: Vertical integration.
Organization: High wages and repetitive tasks.
Education: Minimal need for high-level skills.
Macroeconomics: ‘Good spiral’ of mass consumption driving economies of scale.
What is the ‘good spiral’ in Fordism?
A feedback loop where high wages and 8-hour workdays lower product prices, enabling mass consumption, which in turn supports mass production and economies of scale.
What are the five zeros of the Toyota Production System (TPS)?
Zero delay, zero inventory, zero paper, zero defects, and zero breakdowns.
How does Industry 4.0 transform production paradigms?
By integrating physical and digital systems, enabling real-time communication, automation, advanced skills, and sustainability. Examples include IoT, AI, and cloud computing.
What are the two overarching goals of supply chain management (SCM)?
- Efficiency: Minimize costs, improve productivity, and enhance profitability.
- Justice: Address ethical, social, and political dimensions, promoting fairness and sustainability.
How does SCM research balance efficiency and justice?
By integrating efficiency-focused strategies (e.g., lean principles) with justice-oriented approaches (e.g., addressing child labor, promoting sustainability).
What was the focus of S. J. New’s (1997) article on SCM?
Aim: To broaden SCM research by incorporating social, ethical, and political dimensions alongside efficiency goals.
Key Findings:
SCM lacks a unified definition, complicating research.
Highlights tensions between descriptive and prescriptive practices.
Conclusion: SCM research must balance efficiency with justice to ensure ethical and sustainable outcomes.
What ethical issues arise in supply chain management?
Issues like child labor, poor working conditions, and environmental harm in industries such as fast fashion.
What is the concept of a ‘just’ supply chain?
A framework prioritizing fairness, minimizing harm, and addressing inequalities while balancing efficiency.
