Operations syllabus B

Question 1

operations strategies (9)

Answer 1

• performance objectives – quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost • new product or service design and development • supply chain management – logistics, e-commerce, global sourcing • outsourcing – advantages and disadvantages • technology – leading edge, established • inventory management – advantages and disadvantages of holding stock, LIFO (last-in- first-out), FIFO (first-in-first-out), JIT (just-in-time) • quality management – control – assurance – improvement • overcoming resistance to change – financial costs, purchasing new equipment, redundancy payments, retraining, reorganising plant layout, inertia • global factors – global sourcing, economies of scale, scanning and learning, research and development

Question 2

influences (2) (7,1)

Answer 2

• globalisation, technology, quality expectations, cost-based competition, government policies, legal regulation, environmental sustainability • corporate social responsibility – the difference between legal compliance and ethical responsibility – environmental sustainability and social responsibility

Question 3

operations processes (3)

Answer 3

• inputs – transformed resources (materials, information, customers) – transforming resources (human resources, facilities) • transformation processes – the influence of volume, variety, variation in demand and visibility (customer contact) – sequencing and scheduling – Gantt charts, critical path analysis – technology, task design and process layout – monitoring, control and improvement • outputs – customer service – warranties

Question 4

Role of operations management (3)

Answer 4

• strategic role of operations management – cost leadership, good/service differentiation • goods and/or services in different industries • interdependence with other key business functions