Exam 16: Operations Management: Putting It All Together

Vertical integration means performing functions in a supply chain internally rather than having them outsourced.

What type of software takes the electronic design for a product and creates the programmed instructions that robots must follow to produce a product as efficiently as possible?

What is the best-known type of product facility layout, which efficiently uses specialized equipment to produce a large quantity of a specific good?

Land and supply of utilities are factors that affect location decisions.

Which facility layout would work best for manufacturing airplanes?

Tata Motors of India produces a mini-car called the GenX Nano. This small car boasts an affordable price tag of under $5000. The firm is keeping costs down by eliminating large assembly-line manufacturing sites and high transportation costs. Workers prepare "kits" that are shipped to final retail destinations. The kits are assembled by trained technicians at the retail level. Which of the following does this example illustrate?

Explain how operations managers use the critical path method to manage major projects. Be sure your discussion includes an explanation of what a critical path is, and why it is significant.

Which of the following refers to reprogrammable machines that can manipulate materials, tools, and parts to perform a variety of tasks?

Outsourcing is an arrangement with outside organizations to perform supply chain functions that were previously performed internally.

From the company's perspective, which of the following is a disadvantage of outsourcing?

Japanese firms embraced the ideas of quality experts such as W. Edwards Deming and revolutionized their manufacturing by adopting a strategy of a continuous quality improvement.

What is the focus of total quality management (TQM)?

Durable goods are expected to last three years or longer; examples include furniture, cars, and appliances.

Explain how technology has influenced operations management.

Which of the following are consumed when and where they are produced, and often require the customer to be actively involved in their production?

Engineers at automobile manufacturers design new car models using which type of software to create blueprints and three-dimensional drawings?

Discuss the role of operations management in business.

If the capacity of a service facility is too small, customers facing long waits during periods of peak demand may well take their business elsewhere.

In order to receive ISO 14001 certification, a firm must do many things, one of which is to demonstrate the ability to identify and control the environmental impact of their activities.

Explain the movement toward lean production.