Question 1

Because manufacturing firms are so closely tied to their customers, they are limited in their ability to hold over their product in the form of inventory.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

Poka-Yoke is a proactive approach that seeks to mistake-proof a firm's operations.

Accepted Answer

Poka-Yoke is a proactive approach that seeks to prevent errors from occurring in the first place, rather than relying on detection and correction. It involves designing processes, equipment, and tools in a way that makes it impossible or difficult to make mistakes.

Question 3

Raw materials represent one input into the operations process.

Accepted Answer

Raw materials are one of the main inputs into the operations process. They are used to create products or provide services.

Question 4

A genuine concern for customer needs and customer satisfaction is a powerful force that energizes the total quality management effort of a small business.

Accepted Answer

A genuine concern for customer needs and satisfaction is a key principle of total quality management and is essential for the success of a small business. When employees prioritize meeting and exceeding customer expectations, they are more likely to implement processes and make decisions that lead to high-quality products and services, resulting in satisfied customers and increased business success.

Question 5

Large corporations such as Wal-Mart use data mining techniques to gain powerful insights into customer buying patterns. Unfortunately, this is too expensive for small businesses.

Accepted Answer

Data mining techniques have become more accessible and affordable, allowing small businesses to also utilize them for gaining insights into customer buying patterns.

Question 6

Statistical analysis makes it possible to determine tolerance limits that allow for inherent variation due to chance.

Accepted Answer

Statistical analysis can identify tolerance limits that take into account normal variation caused by chance.

Question 7

Job shops in manufacturing use specialized equipment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Job shops in manufacturing use specialized equipment....

Question 8

Kaoru Ishikawa contends that 95% of the typical company's quality problems can be solved by using tools he calls the basic six.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kaoru Ishikawa contends that 95% of the...

Question 9

Total quality management refers specifically to management of the process of manufacturing.

Accepted Answer

Total quality management (TQM) refers to the management of all aspects of an organization's operations to achieve customer satisfaction and continuous improvement, not just limited to manufacturing processes.

Question 10

Composing music or painting portraits are examples of project manufacturing.

Accepted Answer

Composing music and painting portraits are unique products that require specialized skills, resources and processes, making them examples of project manufacturing.

Question 11

Service establishments are exempt from setting quality standards, since their product is intangible and thus cannot be measured.

Accepted Answer

Service establishments are not exempt from setting quality standards. Quality standards can be established for various aspects of service delivery, such as timeliness, friendliness of staff, accuracy of information provided, etc. These standards can be measured through various methods, such as customer feedback, mystery shopping, or internal audits.

Question 12

The terms repetetive manufacturing and mass production are synonymous.

Accepted Answer

Repetitive manufacturing and mass production both refer to the production of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly lines or automated processes.

Question 13

Because some foreign markets are not accustomed to high quality goods and services, small firms in the U.S. are finding that an emphasis on quality is much more important to being competitive in the American market than in overseas markets.

Accepted Answer

Quality is important in both domestic and international markets as consumers globally are increasingly demanding high-quality goods and services.

Question 14

The operations process is concerned with the conversion of inputs into products or services.

Accepted Answer

The operations process involves the transformation of inputs into outputs, which can be in the form of products or services. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 15

Operations refers to the processes used to create and deliver a good or service.

Accepted Answer

Operations include all the activities involved in creating and delivering a good or service, such as production, inventory management, logistics, and customer service.

Question 16

Measuring the weight of boxes of candy during a production process is an example of attribute inspection.

Accepted Answer

Measuring the weight of boxes of candy is an example of variable inspection, where a specific measurement (weight) is being taken and compared to a standard or tolerance range. Attribute inspection is when an item is inspected for the presence or absence of a specific characteristic or attribute (such as whether a light bulb turns on or not).

Question 17

According to the text, experts recommend that firms work hard to involve and empower quality control experts in efforts to control quality

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, experts recommend that...

Question 18

Even a service firm has an operations process.

Accepted Answer

Even service firms have defined processes to deliver their services to customers, manage resources, and maintain quality.

Question 19

In order to achieve market success, a firm merely needs to concentrate on either providing an excellent product/service or devising an insightful marketing strategy.

Accepted Answer

A firm needs to have both a great product/service and a well-executed marketing strategy to achieve market success. Simply having one without the other may not be enough to stand out in a competitive market.

Question 20

The term quality may be defined as the manufacture of products that are free of defects.

Accepted Answer

While the absence of defects is a key aspect of quality, it is not the only factor. Quality can also refer to meeting customer needs and expectations, adhering to industry standards, and consistently delivering a reliable and functional product.

Quiz 21: Managing Operations