AS BUSINESS STUDIES REVISION: OPERATION MANAGEMENT

Short Answer Questions
1. (a) Distinguish between capital intensive production and labour intensive production. [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two factors that could influence a decision to change to more capital intensive production methods. [3 marks]

(9707/11/O/N/13)

2. (a) Define the term 'added value'. [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two ways in which operation management decisions might add value to a product. [3 marks]

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3. (a) Define the term 'productivity' [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two ways in which a busines could increase levels of productivity in its operation. [3 marks]

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4. (a) Define the term 'process innovation' [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two advantages to customers of job production. [3 marks]

(9707/11/O/N/14)

5. (a) Define the term 'diseconomies of scale' [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two reasons why a business could experience diseconomies of scale. [3 marks]

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6. (a) Define the term 'operations management' [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain how changes in technology could affect the operations management a business. [3 marks]

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7. (a) Define the term 'value added' [2 marks]
    (b) Briefly explain two ways operations management could contribute to the success of a business. [3 marks]

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8. Explain the differences between efficiency and effectiveness in business operations. [5 marks]

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9. Explain the 'transformation process' in the production of goods and services. [5 marks]

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Essay Questions
1. Discuss the important factors that will need to be considered by a business in deciding where to locate a new adventure and amusement park. [20 marks]

(9707/12/O/N/13)

2. (a) Explain the importance of inventory management to a retail business. [8 marks]
    (b) Discuss the factors which could influence the successful operation of Just-In-Time inventory management. [12 mark]

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3. (a) Explain why it is important for a business to be able to identify and calculate its costs. [8 marks]
    (b) Discuss how break-even analysis could be useful for a business decision on introducing a new product. [12 marks]

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4. (a) Explain the differences between batch production and flow production methods. [8 marks]
    (b) Discuss the implications for a manufacturing business of changing from batch production to flow production. [12 marks]

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5. Discuss the factors a large manufacturing business should consider before relocating its operation to another country. [20 marks]

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6. (a) Explain how the effectiveness of the operations management function can be influenced by human resource management. [8 marks]
    (b) Discuss how the actions of competitors could influence the operations management decisions of a car manufacturer. [12 marks]

(9707/12/M/J/14)