Management Question

GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT:

a) If assignment is Question & Answer based then.

Introduction is needed for each question. • Question has to be answered based on the mark allotted for each question with references if any idea or information is taken from other source.

b) if assignment is case based then, • Executive summary • Table of content • Introduction • Body of assignment (questions related to case need to be answered) • Conclusion / Recommendation if any • References (in-text + citation) to be used.

Words count: Minimum 2500 words for all questions. Referring to the case study by Cabrera , Corpus , Maradiegue and Álvarez (2020) “attached”, Answer the following questions:

Part A: Case study. Each question carries 15 marks. Words count: Minimum 2500 words for all questions. Referring to the case study by Cabrera , Corpus , Maradiegue and Álvarez (2020), Answer the following questions:

1- What is the main problem facing the SME food company? Describe the analysis followed by the authors in investigating the problem extent and implications, causes and root cause. Describe, define, and state the purpose of the tools used in the case study to analyze the problem and its root causes. What type of wastes can be attributed to the disclosed problems?

2- What were the main solutions/ approaches implemented in the case study? How did the author justify rationally the use of these approaches and how did they connect them with the problems and their causes? Illustrate the underlying concepts, purpose and procedures related to the SPC and Lean.

3- What were the results achieved?

4- Conduct a review of the benefits of applying Lean and SPC in any industry using appropriate references and research publications.

5- Which is better for a company that adopts cost leadership strategy to be agile or to implement lean? Justify your answer.

Part B (15 Marks) Word count: Minimum 1500 words.

Compare and contrast the focus on reducing the cost era with the focus on quality era within the evolution stages that operations management has progressed through.