Briefly discuss the key organizational elements of time-based competition.
What will be an ideal response?
Time-based competition (TBC) refers to strategies that reduce the total time needed to deliver the good or service. TBC has several key organizational elements: logistics, just-in-time (JIT), and concurrent engineering. The movement of resources into the organization (inbound) and products from the organization to its customers (outbound) is called logistics. Like the supply chain, logistics can become a vital advantage when managed well. One technology that helps some companies improve logistics efficiency and speed is radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. When manufacturers label their products with RFID tags, automated readers track where each product is in the distribution system, including which items are selling in each store. An additional element of TBC is just-in-time operations. JIT manufactures subassemblies and components in very small lots and delivers them to the next stage in the process precisely at the time needed (just in time). A customer order triggers a factory order and the production process. The supplying work centers do not produce the next lot of product until the consuming work center requires it. Even external suppliers deliver to the company just in time. JIT is a vital component of TBC, but JIT traditionally concentrates on reducing time in only one function: manufacturing. TBC attempts to deliver speed in all functions-product development, manufacturing, logistics, and services. Many companies use concurrent (sometimes called simultaneous) engineering as a cornerstone of their TBC strategy. Concurrent engineering-also an important component of total quality management-is a major departure from the old development process that did various functional tasks sequentially.
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Unfortunately, you have recently had a disagreement with a coworker. What steps will you take to address this conflict using the collaborative conflict resolution model?
What will be an ideal response?
Web-based project software
a. was declared illegal due to heightened security procedures that have been implemented since September 11, 2001. b. lacks efficiency due to the differences in computer systems, terminology, and processes. c. can cause misunderstandings between different vendors, resulting in delayed completion of projects. d. allows information to be viewed from any computer with Internet access, as long as the user has the proper security clearance and passwords.
Which statement BEST describes the report introduction?
a. It may be a copy of the report proposal. b. It may be omitted if the report preliminaries include the problem and purpose. c. It provides information needed to understand the rest of the report. d. It should not describe the research methods.
Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding factors influencing a business manager's choice of organizational form?
A) Provided that the business manager chooses correctly, there is an ideal form of business venture. B) Each organizational form has its advantages. C) Each organizational form has its disadvantages. D) The entrepreneur, with the counsel of an attorney and an accountant or a tax expert, should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms for the type of business the entrepreneur wishes to engage in.