Unit 5.1

Question 1

Define operations management

Answer 1

The management of business resources (inputs, e.g. land, labour and capital)

Question 2

Operations management relationship to other business functions

Answer 2

Marketing
Quality and packaging
Standardized production or custom-made

HRM
Mass production may lead to layoffs/redundancies
Amount of training/skill required
Motivation

Finance
Capital intensive machinery requires initial investment
Labour intensive requires salaries, bonuses etc

Question 3

Operations management practices for sustainability

Answer 3

Ecological Sustainability
Natural environment sustainability
Green technologies, Recycling, Producing green products

Social Sustainability
Optimizing quality of life for us and our children
Health & Safety in the workplace, Factories in areas of high unemployment, CSR

Economic Sustainability
Providing the G&S for now and the future
Increasing productivity
R & D