Operations, Influences

Question 1

Technology

Answer 1

The design, construction and/or application of innovative devices, methods and machinery upon operations processes.

Question 2

Administrative level (Technology)

Answer 2

Assist with organisation, planning and decision making and are in control of operational processes.

Question 3

Processing level (Technology)

Answer 3

Used in manufacturing, logistics and distribution, quality management, all aspects of inventory management, supply chain management and sourcing.

Question 4

Impact of globalisation (Technology)

Answer 4

Access to global markets: Service based businesses are able to penetrate the global markets with distribution of information.
Access to technology: Businesses can access technology not available in their own country.

Question 5

Technological change impact (Technology)

Answer 5

Changes in production: development of new methods of production or new equipment that helps and business perform functions.
Operations manager must be aware: heavy reliance to be aware of new technology.
Influence on decisions made: weigh up the costs against the expected benefits.

Question 6

Computer Aided Design (Technology)

Answer 6

Technology that allows architects, designers and engineers to draw and adjust designs using a computer.

Question 7

Computer Aided Manufacturing (Technology)

Answer 7

Technology that directly links the design process to the manufacturing process using computers.

Question 8

Benefits of CAD (Technology)

Answer 8

Designs can be created based on specifications or special conditions, clients can make comments and allow engineers to further customise the product, designs are able to be manipulated and changed.

Question 9

Benefits of CAM (Technology)

Answer 9

Greater efficiency, fewer errors and fewer staff, greater precision in calculations.

Question 10

Customers Quality Expectations

Answer 10

Refers to the change in consumers preferences to improve or alter quality.

Question 11

Quality standards (CQE)

Answer 11

Goods: Quality of design, fitness for purpose, durability.
Services: Professionalism, reliability, customisation.

Question 12

Impact on operations (CQE)

Answer 12

If a product doesn’t meet the desired standards a business’s reputation will suffer. Operations must be organised to maximise customer satisfaction. Must follow particular standards.

Question 13

Impact on businesses (CQE)

Answer 13

To fulfil expectations businesses must produce a goof with the features, design and quality that customers want.

Question 14

Globalisation

Answer 14

The development of a world economy with increased flow of goods and services, people, money and information.

Question 15

Opportunities of Globalisation

Answer 15

Provides a source of market opportunities, and an increased flow of goods, services, people and information.

Question 16

Threat of Globalisation

Answer 16

Businesses (competition) that apply cost leadership principles can undercut the market and dominate.

Question 17

Sourcing of Inputs (Globalisation)

Answer 17

The practice of sourcing from the global market for goods and services across geopolitical boundaries.

Question 18

Location of Manufacturing (Globalisation)

Answer 18

Establish a global network of production sites/manufacturing facilities or a network of suppliers a business has chosen (global web).

Question 19

Need for Innovation (Globalisation)

Answer 19

Increases competition and also gives the business access to a wider range of consumers.

Question 20

Emergence of global consumers (Globalisation)

Answer 20

Globalisation enables higher incomes, opens up new markets and operations may need to change features, design, quality or information to suit new markets.

Question 21

Imitation (Globalisation)

Answer 21

When a product is taken apart to see how it is made. Imitating businesses than try to replicate the product and sells the new product at a lower price.

Question 22

Innovation (Globalisation)

Answer 22

Businesses leading the market have to differentiate products and make them new in the market.

Question 23

Other Factors (Globalisation)

Answer 23

Different currencies, different cultures, trade agreements.