Exam 1: Operations and Productivity

An example of a "hidden" production function is the transfer of funds between accounts at a bank.

Felicien grows mirlitons (that's Cajun for Chayote squash)in his 100 by 100 foot garden.He then sells the crop at the local farmers' market.Two summers ago,he was able to produce and sell 1200 pounds of mirlitons.Last summer,he tried a new fertilizer that promised a 50% increase in yield.He harvested 1900 pounds.Did the fertilizer live up to its promise?

Gibson Products produces cast bronze valves for use in offshore oil platforms.Currently,Gibson produces 1600 valves per day.The 20 workers at Gibson work from 7 a.m.until 4 p.m. ,with 30 minutes off for lunch and a 15 minute break during the morning work session and another at the afternoon work session.Gibson is in a competitive industry,and needs to increase productivity to stay competitive.They feel that a 20 percent increase is needed. Gibson's management believes that the 20 percent increase will not be possible without a change in working conditions,so they change work hours.The new schedule calls on workers to work from 7:30 a.m.until 4:30 p.m. ,during which workers can take one hour off at any time of their choosing.Obviously,the number of paid hours is the same as before,but production increases,perhaps because workers are given a bit more control over their workday.After this change,valve production increased to 1800 units per day. a.Calculate labor productivity for the initial situation b.Calculate labor productivity for the hypothetical 20 percent increase c.What is the productivity after the change in work rules? d.Write a short paragraph analyzing these results.

Which of the following is NOT an element of the management process?

Which productivity variable has the greatest potential to increase productivity?

Identify up to four phenomena that foster specialization and worldwide supply chains.

At Hard Rock Café,tasks that reflect operations or operations management include: