Operations; Influences

Question 1

define globalisation

Answer 1

removal of barriers of trade between nations
leads to flow of capital, labour and goods

Question 2

how is globalisation a threat to businesses

Answer 2

it is a threat as other businesses may effectively apple COST LEADERSHIP to undercut the market and dominate it
eg. outsourcing to China for cheap labour

Question 3

why are businesses orientating their practices to the ‘global consumer’

Answer 3

as globalisation continues, consumers appear from all over the world, expecting a standardised product and that has the saem product design and quality

Question 4

what are the 4 key aspects of supply chain management

Answer 4

supply chain
sourcing
global web
outsourcing

Question 5

what is a supply chain and what does it need to be in order for a business to practice efficiently

Answer 5

it is the range of suppliers a business has,

needs to be reliable and predictable in order for a business to keep operations running smoothly eg. no delays, mishaps with quality

Question 6

what is sourcing

Answer 6

how a business acquires its inputs

Question 7

what is the global web and how is it chosen

Answer 7

it is the network of global suppliers has chosen

based off:
lowest overall cost
lowest risk
high certainty in quality and timing of supplies

Question 8

what is outsourcing and why is it usually chosen to do

Answer 8

when a business buys inputs rather than producing it, often to achieve cost leadership

Question 9

why is supply chain management (SCM) important

Answer 9

allows manufacturers to make as many products as necessay.

Question 10

what is technology in a business (products and machinery)

Answer 10

the design, construction and application of devices
machinery in the operations process

Question 11

what technologies are used in the administration of operations

Answer 11

gantt charts, critical path analysis (planning)
computers, telephone (office)
graphics, spreadsheets (software)

Question 12

what technologies are used in the operations processes

Answer 12

assembly lines (manufacturing)
robots (cutting clothes, moving product) e.g. in amazon they use robots in warehouses to move product rather than humans

Question 13

advantages of technology

Answer 13

saving time/faster production
reducing energy/materials wasted
achieving a competitive advantage

Question 14

disadvantages of technology

Answer 14

expensive initially (purchase of machinery)
may create redundancies (CSR conflicts)
may use more energy (CSR)

Question 15

what is quality in a business

Answer 15

how well designed, made and functinal a good is

degree of excellence of a product

Question 16

what quality management processes do businesses use to ensure quality expectations are met

Answer 16

quality control, quality assurance, total quality management

Question 17

is quality measured differntly for goods and services

Answer 17

yes

Question 18

what are the 3 main quality expectations for goods

Answer 18

1. quality of design
   how well a product has been developed (innovation, quality of materials)
2. fitness for purpose
   how well a product does the job its intended to, and how easy it is to use.
3. durability
   how long goods last, how easily they can be maintained and repaired (includes aftersale services such as warranties

Question 19

what are the 3 quality expectations for services

Answer 19

1. professionalism
   how staff engage with customers (dialogue), and the environment in which it is delivered (clean)
2. reliability
   the overall competence and efficiency of the service provider
3. level of customisation
   how the service is tailored to meet individual customer needs