1. Why is production and operations management important in both manufacturing and service firms?
2. Describe the make-or-buy decision and how it is related to outsourcing.
3. Describe how operations managers schedule and control production.
4. Describe total quality management (TQM) and the role that Six Sigma, ISO 9000, and ISO14000 play in TQM.
5. What key trends are affecting the way companies manage production and operations?
6. What are some disadvantages to working from home? Write a paragraph examining at least three.
7. Describe wholesaling, and the two main types of wholesalers.
8. Describe the different kinds of retail operations and provided examples. What are the most important factors in creating a store’s atmosphere?
9. How are advertising media selected?
10. What is social media, and how has it changed promotion? Provide two specific, detailed examples.
11. Define the following classic quality tools and describe how these processes can be used: flowchart, and check sheet.
12. Define Design for Manufacturing Ability and Design for Six Sigma. How do these processes work together?
13. How are process objectives monitored, measured, and reported?
14. Describe data mining and it can this influence quality. Provide an example.
15. Explain how ISO 8402 defines quality assurance. Why are these measures important for organizations to implement?
16. Define TQM in a paragraph that emphasizes the “continual improvement” that is essential for its successful implementation.