U3 AOS3: Operations management Flashcards
Operations management
All the activities in which managers engage to produce goods or services
Business competitiveness
The ability of a business to sell products in a market
- Business = competitive when able to produce goods/equal to/better than competitors
Effectiveness
The degree to which a business has achieved its stated objectives
Efficiency
How well a business uses resources in achieving these objectives
Inputs
Resources used in the process of production
Categories of inputs
- Natural resources/materials
- Physical resources (machinery, equipment, property)
- Human resources (labour)
- Financial resources
- Information from a variety of sources
- Time
Difference between the inputs of a manufacturing business vs service business
Manufacturing = capital and natural resources
Service = information and human resources
Transformation process
The conversion of inputs (resources) into outputs (goods or services)
Differences between the processes of a manufacturing business vs service business
Manufacturing = tangible product
Services = intangible product
Outputs
The end result of a business’s efforts - the service or product that is delivered or provided to the consumer
Tangibles
Goods that can be touched
Intangibles
Services that cannot be touched
Characteristics of operations management within manufacturing businesses
- Produce tangible goods
- Store goods for later use
- Production process and consumption not linked
- Little customer involvement in production
Characteristics of operations management within service businesses
- Produce intangible services
- Cannot be stored
- Customer is involved in production (has to be present)
- Process and consumption typically occur simultaneously
What are the 6 strategies related to technological developments?
- Automated production lines
- Robotics
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Online services
Automated production lines
- Comprises machinery and equipment
- Arranged in sequence
- Components added each step
- Process controlled by computers
How do automated production lines improve efficiency?
- Fewer human resources
- Perform tasks quicker than humans
- Reducing waste due to improved accuracy
How do automated production lines improve effectiveness?
- Improved safety
- Increased quality
Advantages of automated production lines
- Improved speed of production
- Reduced need for labour
- Precision and accuracy of production
Disadvantages of automated production lines
- High cost to purchase
- Costly to maintain/replace
- Employee training required
Robotics
Highly specialised form of technology capable of complex tasks
- Often used to perform repetitive tasks and can be used in both manufacturing and service industries
How do robotics improve efficiency?
- Fewer human resources
- Perform tasks quicker than humans
- Reducing waste due to improved accuracy
How do robotics improve effectiveness?
- Improved safety
- Increased quality
Computer-aided design (CAD)
A computerised design tool that allows a business to create product possibilities from a series of input parameters
How does CAD improve efficiency?
- Fewer resources
- Material planning
- Ability to view the product, opportunity for feedback
How does CAD improve effectiveness?
- Making adjustments prior to production (meet consumer needs)
- 3D viewing of product = more realistic perspective
Advantages of CAD
- Product designs produced faster
- Design can be viewed from several angles
- 2D or 3D model of product can be produced
- Changes can be made before prototype is produced
Disadvantages of CAD
- Software crashing
- Expensive
- Time to train staff
- Loss of jobs
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques
The use of software to direct and control manufacturing processes
How does CAM improve efficiency?
- Speeds up production
- Fewer human resources
- Fewer errors
How does CAM improve effectiveness?
- Product quality
- Customisations
Advantages of CAM
- Speed of production
- Consistency
- Can run 24/7
Disadvantages of CAM
- Cost of implementation
- Training
- Machines only perform one type of task
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Using computerised systems to stimulate human intelligence and mimic human behaviour
Business applications of AI
- Web searching
- Self-driving cars
- ChatGPT
How does AI improve effectiveness?
- Improve decision making
- Quality
- Speed and customer service
How does AI improve efficiency?
- Speeds up analysis of large amounts of data
- Monitor materials (appropriate stock on hand)
- Identify errors early
Advantages of AI
- Precision in responding to customer needs
- Production forecasting and reduce waste in production process
- More creativity for staff
Disadvantages of AI
- Cost of implementation
- Can make incorrect assumptions as it relies on human data
- Job losses
Online services
Web pages, apps and platforms that allow businesses to provide their service to customers through the internet.
How do online services improve efficiency?
- Reduced operation costs
- Communicate with customers with fewer resources
How do online services improve effectiveness?
- Increased accessibility = improved customer satisfaction
- Materials and production planning
Advantages of online services
- Customers can access service 24/7
- Reduce costs (decreasing need for brick and mortar store)
- Saving on employee costs
Disadvantages of online services
- May have to increase distribution channels if offering products abroad
- Large investment to keep services updated and running
- Invest in data privacy
Materials management
Manage the use, storage and delivery of materials to ensure the right amount of inputs is available when required.
What does materials management involve?
- Receiving materials
- Storing materials safely
- Identifying ongoing materials requirements
- Reducing holdings of surplus stock
- Controlling release of materials
Inventory
Goods and materials held as stock by a business
- Stock taking up storage space for long periods reduces opportunities for the business to invest money elsewhere
Materials handling
The physical handling of goods in warehouses and at distribution points
What is the process for managing materials?
Forecasting > MPS > MRP > JIT