Connect Chapter 1 Questions

Controlling

The process of comparing outputs to previously established standards to determine if corrective action is needed. Controls are used to maintain performance.

The responsibilities of the operations manager

The scope of operations management ranges across the organization. The operations manager is the key figure in the system with the ultimate responsibility for the creation of goods or provision of services.

Mass production

A system in which low-skilled workers use specialized equipment to produce high volumes of standardized goods.

Which is not an area of significant difference between manufacturing and service operations? A) forecasting demand B) uniformity of input C) labor content of jobs D) customer contact E) measurement of productivity

A) forecasting demand Manufacturing and service operations both use forecasting and capacity planning to match supply and demand.

Outsourcing

Buying goods or services instead of producing or providing them in-house is called. (Outsourcing is increasingly a part of operations management and is contributing to the increased attention on supply chain management.)

Which of the following is not true about the systems approach? A) A systems viewpoint is almost always beneficial in decision making. B) A systems approach emphasizes interrelationships among subsystems. C) A systems approach concentrates on efficiency within subsystems.Correct D) A systems approach is essential whenever something is being redesigned or improved. E) All of the choices are true.

C) A systems approach concentrates on efficiency within subsystems. Subsystem efficiency doesn't necessarily translate into overall system efficiency; so an approach which concentrates on efficiency within subsystems is an alternative to the systems approach

The Common Good Principle

Emphasizes that actions should make the community as a whole better off, actions should contribute to the common good of the community.

Feedback

Measurements taken at various points in the transformation process for control purposes are called

Internal supply chain

Part of the operations function itself, supplying operations with parts and materials, performing work on products, and/or performing services.

Some companies attempt to maximize the revenue they receive from fixed operating capacity by influencing demands through price manipulation. This is an example of

Revenue management. Revenue management is used to ensure that as much perishable capacity as possible is sold.

Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management involves a broader systemic view of operations, involves coordinating the activities among all the elements of the business including its suppliers and distributors.

Pareto phenomenon

The fact that a few improvements in a few key areas of operations will have more impact than many improvements in many other areas. Pareto phenomena direct our attention to the difference between the "important few" and the "trivial many."

Which of the following would not generally be classified under the heading of transformation? A) assembling B) teaching C) staffing D) farming E) consulting

C) staffing Staffing doesn't involve transforming resources so much as it involves acquiring them.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of service operations? A) intangible output B) high customer contact C) high labor content D) easy measurement of productivity E) low uniformity of input

D) easy measurement of productivity The productivity of service operations is often hard to measure.

Production systems with customized outputs typically have relatively A) high volumes of output B) Low unit costs C) high amounts of specialized equipment D) fast work movement. E) skilled workers

E) skilled workers Skilled workers are necessary to accommodate the variation inherent in customized outputs.

Two widely used metrics of variation are the __________ and the _________.

mean; standard deviation The mean and standard deviation summarize important facts regarding the variation in a process.

Modern firms increasingly rely on other firms to supply goods and services instead of doing these tasks themselves. This increased level of _____________ is leading to increased emphasis on ____________ management.

outsourcing; supply chain Supply chain management takes a more systemic view of the firm, its operations, and its suppliers.