Question: How can social media enhance the sale

> Discuss the type of facility layout that would be most appropriate for: a. printing books, b. performing hospital laboratory tests, c. manufacturing home furniture, d. a hospital, e. a photography studio, and f. a library.

> What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the major types of layout patterns? Provide one example of each type of layout for goods-producing and service-providing firms.

> Identify several sources of errors as a student or in your personal life. Develop some poka-yokes that might prevent them.

> Develop a value stream map for the process you flowcharted in Question #27 to identify the value-added and non-value-added activities. How can you estimate costs and/or revenue for the process steps?

> Draw a flowchart for a process of interest to you, such as a quick oil-change service, a factory process you might have worked in, ordering a pizza, renting a car or truck, buying products on the Internet, or applying for an automobile loan. Identify the

> What sustainability issues are present in the example restaurant order fulfillment process example (Exhibits 7.6 and 7.7)? What other restaurant processes need to include sustainability criteria in their design and day-to-day management?

> Discuss how sustainability might be incorporated into a process or value chain improvement initiative. Try to find an example and summarize it in a manner similar to that in the box feature on Alfa Laval.

> The BOM, current inventory, and lead time (in months) for the in-line skates in Rocker Industries (A) case is shown in Exhibit 14.37. Using the chase demand strategy, you developed in Rocker Industries (A), develop a complete MRP week-by-week schedule us

> Design a process for one of the following activities: a. Preparing for an exam b. Writing a term paper c. Planning a vacation

> Provide some examples of customer- and provider-routed services that you have encountered that are different from those described in this chapter. Can you identify any improvements to these processes?

> Use the product-process matrix to explain the implications for Boeing in changing from a project focus to more of a flow shop process as explained in the box "Rethinking Airplane Manufacturing Processes. Limit your discussion to one typed page.

> List some common processes that you perform as a student. How can you use the knowledge from this chapter, such as identifying bottlenecks, to improve them?

> What type of process – project, job shop, flow shop, and continuous flow – would most likely be used to produce the following? a. Gasoline b. Air-conditioners c. Specialized machine tools d. Ships e. Producing many flavors of ice cream

> What type of process—project, job shop, flow shop, and continuous flow—would most likely be used to produce the following? Explain your reasoning. a. Personal computers b. Weddings c. Paper d. Paper books e. Tax preparation

> Find an article describing the application of optimization models in supply chain design and summarize how the models are used and the benefits that resulted from them. A good journal to search is Interfaces, which should be available in your school lib

> How can satellite-based global positioning systems improve the performance of supply chains in the following industries: (a) trucking, (b) farming and food distribution, (c) manufacturing, and (d) ambulance service?

> Select a firm such as Taco Bell (www.tacobell.com), Bank of America (www.bankofamerica.com), Walmart (www.walmart.com), or another service-providing organization of interest to you and write a short analysis and list of location and multisite management

> Define the principal criteria that might be used for locating each of the following facilities: • hospital • chemical factory • fire station • coffee shop • regional automobile parts

> Rocker Industries (RI) produces recreational in-line skates (see Exhibit 14.36). Demand is seasonal, peaking in the summer months, with a smaller peak demand during December. For one of their more popular models that is being introduced with some cosmeti

> Rapido Burrito is a small, regional chain of quick service restaurants. Rather than wait in a cafeteria-style line, customers check boxes for their choice of ingredients, sauce, and so on paper menus at their table. The food is prepared quickly and then

> Research the topic of “reshoring” in the United States and evaluate its impact. Develop an incentive system for U.S. firms to bring work back to the United States. Be ready to present to the class.

> Research a U.S. company that recently moved a corporate headquarters or factory or research and development center from the United States to another country. What were the advantages and disadvantages for the company in their offshoring decision? Develo

> Explain why it is important for operations managers to understand the local culture and practices of the countries in which a firm does business. What are some of the potential consequences if they don’t?

> If a small U.S. business with sales of $300 million wanted to expand into global markets, develop a check sheet with a list of twenty questions (and decisions) they might have to answer (make) regarding their supply chains. Be ready to present to the cla

> How does globalization impact the supply chain design process?

> One study that focused on the impact of China trade on the U.S. textile industry noted that 19 U.S. textile factories were closed and 26,000 jobs lost in the early 2000s. If these factories had not closed, it would have cost U.S. consumers $6 billion mo

> Do you think you will be working in manufacturing or services when you graduate? What do you think will be the role of manufacturing in the U.S. economy in the future?

> How would you rate the following service encounter experience? Negative and positive reactions?

> Find an example of a service guarantee and explain its strengths and weaknesses.

> Characterize the following goods and services on the low-high-customer-contact continuum and justify your answer in a sentence or two. a. participating in a case study classroom discussion b. listening and taking notes in a classroom lecture c. machining

> The Hudson Jewelers case study found in MindTap integrates material found in each chapter of the book. Case Questions for Discussion: 1. Research short- and long-term risks in the global diamond supply chains and write a short paper (maximum of three pag

> Is it easier to management a high- or low-customer-contact business? Explain.

> Identify a service-provider job and associated service encounters and design and write a job description for it. (Consider desired customer-contact skills and behaviors, education and training requirements, empowerment capabilities, hiring criteria, and

> Propose an explicit service guarantee for a fast-food restaurant. Clearly explain why you included the features of your service guarantee (maximum of one page). Do you think that a restaurant would adopt it? Why or why not?

> Identify a job in an organization and describe how the four elements of service-encounter design are designed and managed for this job. (The job you select could be in a professional organization such as a dentist or tax advisor, or in a routine service

> Select a service at your school, such as financial aid, bookstore, curriculum advising, and so on. Propose a redesign of this service and its service delivery system. First, baseline the current service and system and then suggest how to redesign and imp

> Define lean and elaborate servicescapes and give an example not in the textbook.

> Choose a servicescape for a business with which you are familiar and list key physical attributes of the servicescape and their impact on customer service and value. Explain how the servicescape establishes the behavioral setting for your example.

> Research and write a short paper (maximum two typed pages) illustrating an example of how a company applies concepts of Design for Environment (DfE).

> Explain how the goal post view of conforming to specifications differs from Taguchi’s loss function. Would you rather buy an automobile where suppliers used the goal-post or Taguchi models? Why?

> In building a House of Quality, what departments or functions should be involved in each step of the process?

> Jake and Lilly Gifford founded J&L Packaging, Inc. (J&LP) in 1995 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. Jake earned a degree in robotics and mechanical engineering, while Lilly graduated with a degree in computer science. They met a

> What lessons can be learned from the LaRosa’s Pizzeria boxed example?

> How might modern technology, such as the Internet, be used to understand the voice of the customer?

> Research and write a short paper about how business analytics or advances in information systems influence the use of technology and decision making in operations management.

> Research and write a short paper (maximum of two typed pages) on the advantages and disadvantages of “technology transfer” when a firm partners with a firm in another country.

> Research what jobs are most and least likely to be replaced by technology and automation.

> Identify and describe (maximum of two typed pages) two apps for your cell phone or electronic reader and how they improve your productivity and quality of life.

> Research and write a short paper (maximum of two typed pages) on the impact of electric vehicles on the three dimensions of sustainability.

> Describe a situation where self-service and technology help create and deliver the customer benefit package to the customer. Provide examples of how such a system can cause a defect, mistake or service upset.

> Discuss each of these statements. What might be wrong with each of them? a. “We’ve thought about computer integration of all our manufacturing functions, but when we looked at it, we realized that the labor savings wouldn’t justify the cost.” b. “We’ve h

> LCC Medical Manufacturing, located in Punta Gorda, Florida, produces medical devices for orthopedic surgery including replacement parts for human knees, hips, and elbows, and surgical tools. One component LCC out- sources is the meta tibial component. Th

> Explain how manufacturing and service technology, and business analytics strengthen the value chain.

> Identify and describe (maximum of two typed pages) a business that uses ERP to manage its value chain (if possible, draw a picture of key elements of the value chain such as sourcing, production, shipping, sales, billing, and so on). What benefits and c

> How do the “Veja Company: Sneakers with a Conscience” operations and supply chain decisions and practices support their mission and strategy? Provide examples and explain. Report your findings in a short paper (maximum of two typed pages).

> Research Apple and define its strategic mission, vision, corporate strategy, competitive priorities, and operations strategy. What can you say about Apple’s strategy and practices regarding sustainability? You might use the Internet or visit the library.

> Identify two competing organizations (e.g., AT&T and Verizon, TaylorMade and Callaway golf club manufacturers, or Starbucks and Panera). Explain the differences in their missions, strategies, and competitive priorities, and how their operations strategie

> Apply Hill’s strategy framework to a goods producing or service-providing organization of your choice. This will require research to identify corporate objectives and competitive priorities. See the McDonald’s example in the chapter for guidance and make

> Research and write a short paper on a company that has a clear strategy based on social and ethical sustainability.

> Identify two firms that endorse sustainability as part of their corporate strategy and discuss how sustainability is integrated into their strategies.

> Why is sustainability a strategy and not a competitive priority? Explain your reasoning.

> Is it possible for a world-class organization to achieve superiority in all five major competitive priorities—price (cost), quality, time, flexibility, and innovation? Explain your reasoning.

> 1. Research global supply and demand for diamonds and how it affects prices. What role do “diamond reserves” (inventory) play in determining prices? Explain. What do you think the demand-supply curves for diamonds looks like? Try to sketch it out. 2. Wha

> Explain the interlinking model of quality and profitability (Exhibit 3.2). How does it connect to business and operations strategy? Can you provide any examples of goods and services that support and add credibility to this model?

> Compare Lyft (www.lyft.com) and Uber (www. uber.com) strategies. Explain the similarities and differences in their missions, strategies, and competitive priorities, and how their operations strategies might differ. Use the Internet or business magazines

> How does your cell phone provider use the competitive priority “flexibility” to its competitive advantage? Research, then explain and provide examples in a short paper (maximum of two typed pages).

> How does Procter & Gamble use the competitive priority “quality” to its competitive advantage? Research, then explain and provide examples in a short paper (maximum of two typed pages).

> How does Walmart use the competitive priority “cost” to its competitive advantage? Research, then explain and provide examples in a short paper (maximum of two typed pages).

> How does a package delivery service such as UPS or FedEx use the competitive priority “time” to its competitive advantage? Research, then explain and provide examples in a short paper (maximum of two typed pages).

> Choose an organization with which you are familiar that falls into one of the following categories: • sporting goods store • haircut salon • college bar or restaurant • pizza business • a sports team • wireless telephone Define the firm’s strategic missi

> Provide examples of search, experience, and credence attributes for a ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft.

> What is the average value of a loyal customer (VLC) in a target market segment if the average purchase price is $70 per visit, the frequency of repurchase is every month, the contribution margin is 20%, and the average customer defection rate is 25%? If

> Estimate the value of a loyal customer of a loyal Volvo automobile owner? Assume the contribution margin is 0.32, the purchase price is $70,000, the repurchase frequency is every four years, and the customer defection rate is 30 percent.

> Caroline Highgrove, Hardy Hospital’s director of materials management, glanced at the papers spread across her desk. She wondered where the week had gone. On Monday, the director of university operations, Drew Paris, had asked Caroline

> If the customer defection rate is 17.5 percent, what is the customer retention rate?

> A manufacturing firm uses two measures of productivity: a. Total sales/Total inputs b. Total sales/Total labor inputs Given the data for the last three years below, calculate the productivity ratios. How would you interpret the results? All figures are i

> The data shown below apply to the first two quarters of the current year. Using total-dollar measures of input and output, compare the total profit and productivity achieved for the two quarters. How does second-quarter productivity compare with the firs

> A fast-food restaurant has a drive-through window and during peak lunch times can handle a maximum of 50 cars per hour with one person taking orders, assembling them, and acting as cashier. The average sale per order is $9.00. A proposal has been made to

> A factory produces 10,000 desk staplers each week. The equipment used costs $50,000 and will remain productive for three years. The labor cost per year is $180,000. a. What is the productivity measure of “units of output per dollar of input” averaged ove

> A computer software firm provides a 20' x 30' office for its six systems analysts and plans to hire two additional analysts. To maintain a 100-square-foot working space per analyst, the firm’s owner-manager is considering expansion. The cost of expansion

> A hamburger factory produces 60,000 hamburgers each week. The equipment used costs $10,000 and will remain productive for four years. The labor cost per year is $13,500. a. What is the productivity measure of “units of output per dollar of input” average

> A major airline is attempting to evaluate the effect of recent changes it has made in scheduling flights between New York City and Los Angeles. Data available are shown below: Using January as the base period, compute a productivity index for January and

> Productivity measures for a manufacturing plant over a six-month period follow: Using January as the base period, compute a productivity index for February to June, and comment on what those productivity indexes tell about the productivity trend.

> Each day, a FedEx competitor processes approximately 70,000 shipments. Suppose that they use the same Service Quality Index as FedEx and identified the following numbers of errors during a 5-day week (see the “FedEx: Measuring Service Performance” box).

> Cost-containment activities have become particularly important to hospital operations managers, stimulated by major revisions in health care reimbursement policies and significant growth in marketing activities by private sector health care organizations

> When the value of a loyal customer (VLC) market segment is high, should these customers be given premium goods and services for premium prices? If the VLC is low, should they be given less service? Explain.

> Under which perspective of the balanced scorecard would you classify each of the following measurements? a. On-time delivery to customers b. Time to develop the next generation of products c. Manufacturing yield d. Engineering efficiency e. Quarterly

> Revenue or costs per passenger mile are two key performance measures in the airline industry. Research their use in this industry and prepare a one-page paper summarizing how they are used and why they are so important.

> Discuss some analytical or graphical approaches that organizations can use for analyzing performance data based on your experience and previous coursework.

> Research and write a short paper on how some organization applies the five dimensions of service quality.

> Interview managers at a local company to identify the key business measures (financial, market, supplier, employee, process, information, innovation, etc.) for that company. What quality indicators does that company measure? What cause-and-effect (interl

> Select an organization you are familiar with or have an interest in and write a short two-page paper describing key performance metrics in that industry and firm using the format of Exhibit 2.1.

> What types of performance measurements might be used to evaluate a fraternity or student organization?

> If a coffee shops average transaction price is $4.00, their gross margin is 60 percent, the typical customer makes a purchase once a week or 52 weeks per year, and management estimates the value of a loyal customer over their buying life cycle as $520, w

> What is the value of a loyal customer (VLC ) in the small contractor target market segment who buys an electric drill on average every four years (or every 0.25 year) for $100, when the gross margin on the drill averages 50 percent, and the customer rete

> 1. What is the average number of customers per hour that can be served for Activity B (CAD Demo & Jewelry Concept) if two employees are in the store? Assume each employee works at 100% utilization. 2. Given the seasonal nature of demand at Hudson Jeweler

> What is the average defection rate for grocery store shoppers in a local area of a large city if they spend $50 per visit, shop 52 weeks per year, the grocery store has a 16% gross contribution margin, and the value of a loyal customer is estimated at $2

> Geoff Colvin of Fortune magazine discussed the concept of a ""friction-free economy" in which labor, information, and money move cheaply and quickly through the firm's global supply chains (ENDNOTE: Geoff Colvin, "Every Aspect of Your Business is About t

> Select one of the OM challenges and investigate it in more detail. Prepare a 5-10-minute presentation on what you found.

> Research and write a short paper describing how business analytics has been applied to problems and decisions in operations management. Use the information in the box “What do Operations Managers Do?” to help your search process.