Business 9609 · AS & A Level
The nature of operations
100 practice questions on The nature of operations, with worked solutions and instant marking.
What does ‘productivity’ mean?
March 2016
With reference to Table 2 and any other relevant information, advise which location Sara ought to select for the new shop. Support your decision with reasons.
March 2016
Define the term 'batch production' as used in line 2.
March 2016
Analyse two likely disadvantages to GI of using CAM to produce ice cream.
March 2017
Explain why mass customisation might be used by businesses.
March 2018
Define the term productivity.
March 2018
Define what is meant by the term ‘Just in Time’ (JIT).
March 2019
Analyse the likely benefits to a car manufacturing company of adopting capital intensive processes.
March 2019
Briefly explain what is meant by ‘value added’ (line 7).
March 2019
Recommend which location SSR should choose for its second restaurant. Justify your recommendation.
March 2019
Define what is meant by ‘job production’ (line 1).
March 2020
Define the term 'transformation process'.
March 2021
A furniture manufacturer plans to introduce CAD and CAM into the production process. Discuss the extent to which this may make the business more competitive.
March 2021
Analyse one advantage and one disadvantage to FB of moving from batch production to flow production.
March 2021
Analyse the factors that could determine the relocation of a business.
March 2022
Evaluate whether RR ought to move to batch production.
March 2022
Explain what is meant by ‘efficiency’ (line 21).
March 2022
Explain one likely drawback for BB of using the proposed new machinery.
March 2022
Analyse one method a business could use to lift productivity.
March 2023
Explain what the term supply chain management means.
March 2023
Evaluate the likely impact on FF’s stakeholders of improving the sustainability of operations.
March 2023
Analyse two limitations that capital intensive operations can create for a business.
March 2025
Evaluate whether RCR should introduce Just in Time (JIT).
March 2025
Explain why efficiency matters to a manufacturing business.
Summer 2016
Analyse the benefits of a co-operative as a legal form of business.
Summer 2016
Analyse the advantages to PJ of using job production.
Summer 2016
Analyse the disadvantages to MS of using a labour-intensive production method.
Summer 2016
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to CC of bringing in and using CAM.
Summer 2016
Explain the potential advantages of mass customisation for a computer manufacturer.
Summer 2017
Define the term ‘batch production’ (line 3).
Summer 2017
Define what is meant by ‘productivity’.
Summer 2018
Define the term ‘operations management’.
Summer 2018
Analyse the advantages of venture capital as a source of finance for a small business.
Summer 2018
Analyse two advantages to UU of using batch production.
Summer 2018
Define the term ‘capital intensive’ (line 19).
Summer 2018
Analyse the benefits and drawbacks for a retail business of using Just in Time (JIT) to control inventory.
Summer 2019
What does the term ‘job production’ mean?
Summer 2019
Define the term 'transformation process'.
Summer 2019
Analyse two factors that may have influenced WL’s location.
Summer 2019
Explain the meaning of 'mass customisation' (line 10).
Summer 2019
‘In a large computer manufacturing business, the operations department is more important for achieving success than the marketing department.’ Discuss the extent to which you agree with this view.
Summer 2020
Analyse the potential disadvantages of Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) for a small manufacturing business.
Summer 2020
Explain the reasons operational flexibility is important to a large furniture manufacturer.
Summer 2020
Analyse one advantage and one disadvantage to HH of using job production.
Summer 2020
Explain one possible benefit to MS of being labour intensive.
Summer 2020
Use Table 2.1. Calculate the total number of meals produced per day by both teams.
Summer 2020
Evaluate the possible effects on FF of moving from a labour intensive process to a capital intensive process.
Summer 2020
Define the term ‘job production’.
Summer 2021
Analyse the possible disadvantages for a business when it moves from batch production to flow production.
Summer 2021
Define the term 'service' from line 1.
Summer 2021
Explain one method Bilal could use to add value to the apartments he buys.
Summer 2021
Analyse two disadvantages that the proposed process innovation could create for BU.
Summer 2021
Define the term 'Computer Aided Manufacture' (CAM) in your own words.
Summer 2022
Analyse the benefits to a business of using mass customisation.
Summer 2022
Evaluate the possible effect on MC of introducing process innovation.
Summer 2022
Define the term ‘labour intensive’ as it appears in line 8.
Summer 2022
Analyse two advantages for CTV of bringing automation into one of its factories.
Summer 2022
Analyse two advantages to a business of holding high levels of inventory.
Summer 2023
Define demand in your own words.
Summer 2023
Define what is meant by factors of production.
Summer 2023
Explain one factor that could affect the supply of GR’s products.
Summer 2023
Use lines 1–2. Calculate DC’s expected labour productivity in 2023.
Summer 2023
Explain what is meant by sustainability.
Summer 2023
Evaluate the impact on FM’s stakeholders of a change from batch production to mass customisation.
Summer 2023
Identify one benefit to a business of using job production.
Summer 2023
Define what is meant by job production.
Summer 2024
Analyse two benefits to a business of improving the sustainability of its operations.
Summer 2024
Analyse two likely effects on FD of a fall in productivity.
Summer 2024
Explain what sustainability means.
Summer 2024
Evaluate the role of effective packaging for PS.
Summer 2024
Explain the term mass customisation.
Summer 2024
Define what is meant by capital intensive operations.
Summer 2025
Analyse two ways in which international markets may pose different challenges for a business from those in national markets.
Summer 2025
Explain the term supply chain management.
Summer 2025
Analyse one benefit and one drawback to Kaia of using job production.
Summer 2025
Refer to Table 1.1. Calculate the labour productivity of CT in 2024.
Summer 2025
Explain one benefit to CT of labour-intensive operations.
Summer 2025
Evaluate whether CT should change to flow production.
Summer 2025
Explain one determinant affecting the supply of FF’s products.
Summer 2025
Analyse the benefits and limitations of a labour intensive production process for a business.
Winter 2016
Discuss the ways in which the operations management department of a car manufacturing company could support the business in surviving an economic recession.
Winter 2016
Define what is meant by 'transformation process'.
Winter 2016
Explain how the Testing team add value to the software produced by SC.
Winter 2016
Define ‘capital intensive’ (line 3).
Winter 2016
Briefly explain the meaning of the term ‘flow production’ (line 3).
Winter 2016
Analyse two economies of scale that YP could gain from.
Winter 2016
'Location is the key factor determining the success of a large car manufacturing business.' Discuss this statement.
Winter 2017
Analyse how a business could use a price discrimination strategy to increase profit.
Winter 2017
Define what is meant by ‘economies of scale’.
Winter 2017
Define what is meant by the term ‘Computer Aided Design’ (line 4).
Winter 2017
Briefly explain what is meant by the term ‘mass customisation’ (lines 1–2).
Winter 2017
Analyse two advantages to JS of using Computer Aided Design.
Winter 2017
Analyse the ways in which the efficiency of the operations of a manufacturing business might be affected by its human resources department.
Winter 2018
Analyse the advantages of a partnership as a legal structure for the owners of a small business.
Winter 2018
Analyse the importance for a business of setting clear marketing objectives.
Winter 2018
Analyse one advantage and one disadvantage to KC of using job production.
Winter 2018
Briefly explain the meaning of ‘flow production’ (line 10).
Winter 2018
Analyse the benefits that a business can gain from a labour-intensive production process.
Winter 2019
Define what is meant by the term ‘diseconomies of scale’.
Winter 2019
What does the term 'business relocation' mean?
Winter 2019