Business 7115 · O Level · Achieving quality production
Achieving quality production — practice question
BSB produces an assortment of cakes and cookies. It employs 400 workers, and every one of them belongs to a trade union. A highly motivated workforce is important to BSB. All of its managers adopt a democratic leadership style. The Operations Director is reviewing BSB’s costs. She is concerned about the high level of waste in the factory and is thinking about introducing Kaizen to support the business in reaching lean production.
(a)[2]
Define the term ‘trade union’.
(b)[2]
State whether each item is a fixed cost or a variable cost.
Raw materials:
Insurance:
(c)[4]
Outline two benefits for BSB of having a well-motivated workforce.
(d)[6]
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage for BSB of its managers adopting a democratic leadership style.
(e)[6]
Do you think introducing Kaizen is the most effective way for a manufacturing business to achieve lean production? Justify your answer.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 20-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “A body of workers who join forces so that their interests are safeguarded” …