Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Business studies Theme 2 > Making operational decisions > Flashcards

Making operational decisions Flashcards

1
Q

What is operations?

A

the business function that organises, produces and delivers goods and services

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the production process involve?

A

using its resources to produce goods and provide services that customers can buy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are some examples of resources?

A
  • raw materials
  • finance
  • skills
  • knowledge
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the six stages of an operation?

A
  • design
  • manufacturing
  • assembly
  • test
  • control
  • delivery
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the three production methods?

A
  • job production
  • batch production
  • flow production
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does the choice of production method depend on?

A

the nature of the product and the level of production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Job production

A
  • one-off/bespoke products
  • focuses on customer needs and individual service
  • specialist skilled workforce ( ^ prices )
  • high profit margins
  • longer production process
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Batch production

A
  • larger volume of products than job production
  • some flexibility
  • semi-skilled workforce
  • some levels of automation
  • productivity reduced when switching batches
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Flow production

A
  • high volumes and low margins (with high productivity)
  • standardised production
  • low skilled workforce
  • highly automated process
  • setting up is expensive
  • machine costs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are some examples of technology used in business’s production process?

A
  • computer aided design (CAD)
  • supply chain management (SCM)
  • geographical positioning systems (GPS)
  • electronic point of sales (EPoS)
  • 3d printing
  • e-commerce
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the positive impacts of technology on operations?

A
  • speeds up the production process
  • keeps businesses in touch with their customers
  • lowered production costs
  • fewer mistakes and defects
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the negative impacts of technology on operations?

A
  • costly initial investment
  • can quickly become obsolete
  • requires specific training in tech for employees
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is economies of scale?

A

where the average costs of production fall as the volume of production increases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is productivity?

A

output per worker

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Increasing productivity leads to . .

A

greater competitiveness in a market

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How can productivity be improved?

A
  • increasing output
  • lowering costs of production (inputs) while maintaining output
17
Q

What are four factors affecting choice of technology?

A
  • productivity
  • cost
  • flexibility
  • quality
18
Q

What is the maximum stock level?

A

the most stock a business can hold

19
Q

What is the re-order level?

A

the level of stock at which new stock will be ordered by the business

20
Q

What is buffer stock (minimum stock level)?

A

lowest amount of stock the business will hold
safety net in case of a surge in demand

21
Q

What is just in time stock control?

A

where stock is delivered only when needed by the production system

22
Q

In order for JIT to work, a business must have . . .

A
  • good relationships with suppliers
  • a well organised production system
  • regular demand for their products
23
Q

What are the benefits of holding stock?

A
  • unpredicted surges in demand can be met
  • damaged goods can be replaced
  • discounts on bulk buying
  • economies of scale
  • limited risk of problems supplying customer demand
24
Q

What are the benefits of holding little to no stock?

A
  • warehouse cost saving
  • less chance of damaged or stolen stock
  • target employee focus on other tasks
  • reduce costs of production (competitive product pricing)
25
Q

What impacts do suppliers have on a business?

A
  • costs
  • flexibility
  • reliability
  • customer relations
26
Q

What makes a good supplier?

A
  • value for money on products and delivery
  • flexibility
  • reliability
  • discounts on large orders
  • high-quality supplies
  • short lead times (availability)
27
Q

What are the two ways of achieving good quality in a business?

A
  • quality control
  • quality assurance
28
Q

Quality control is seen as . . .

A

one part of the chain of production

29
Q

Quality assurance involves . . .

A

focusing on quality at every stage of the production process

30
Q

What are the benefits of good quality?

A
  • premium charge prices
  • strong brand image
  • meeting customer needs
  • provide a competitive advantage
  • differentiating a product
  • less waste and defects
31
Q

A quality control system requires a business to:

A
  • quality as the focus and responsibility
  • involve stakeholders at the design stage
  • aim for zero defects
  • meet quality standards
  • quality as the business’s culture
32
Q

Good customer service leads to:

A
  • satisfied and loyal customers
  • positive brand image and reputation
  • differentiated products with a competitive advantage
  • increased sales and repeat purchases
33
Q

Poor customer service leads to:

A
  • poor customer satisfaction
  • low customer loyalty
  • poor brand image
  • inability to differentiate products
  • falling sales and repeat purchases
34
Q

What are the stages of the sales process?

A
  • customer interest
  • speed and efficiency of service
  • customer engagement
  • post-sales service
  • customer loyalty
35
Q

Depending on the product or service being sold the business may need to consider:

A
  • the product knowledge of sales and staff
  • speed and efficiency of service
  • customer engagement with products
  • response to customer feedback
  • post-sales service provided

Business studies Theme 2 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions