Introduction to Operations Management (DP IB Business Management: HL)

Exam Questions

44 mins14 questions
12 marks

Case Study

TechGear Manufacturing Ltd, based in Singapore, produces smart wearable devices. In 2024, TGM implemented new production processes to improve efficiency while maintaining product quality, overseen by the operations management team.

Define the term 'operations management'.

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22 marks

Case Study

Global Fresh Foods PLC, headquartered in Brazil, operates a chain of food processing facilities. In 2024, GFF implemented new quality control measures in all factories.

Define the term 'quality control'.

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32 marks

Case Study

Gourmet Services International operates high-end restaurants worldwide. In 2024, GSI's tertiary sector operations focused on improving service delivery.

State two typical outputs for tertiary sector operations.

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42 marks

Case Study

SolarTech Industries PLC, headquartered in New Zealand, manufactures solar panels. In 2024, the company's operations management team focused on implementing sustainable practices across their production facilities.

State two elements of sustainable operations management.

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52 marks

Case Study

FairWork Electronics is a producer of hi-tech consumer gadgets. The company implemented comprehensive, fair labour practices across their global operations in 2024.

State two examples of fair labour practices.

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62 marks

Case Study

Quantum Computing Solutions Ltd, based in Israel, develops advanced computing systems. In 2024, QCS reorganised their operations, including better capacity planning, across multiple development centres.

Define the term 'capacity planning'.

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72 marks

Case Study

Hawaii-based Pacific Marine Resources Ltd operates commercial fishing vessels. The company is focused on improving the management of their primary sector inputs.

State two types of primary sector inputs.

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82 marks

Case Study

TechNova, a smartphone manufacturer, prioritises quality control to ensure its devices meet customer expectations. It uses inspections at every production stage.

Describe one benefit to a business of quality control.

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14 marks

Case Study

FarmFresh Organic Produce is a large agricultural business focusing on sustainable farming. The company grows organic fruits and vegetables and supplies them to supermarkets and local farmers’ markets. FarmFresh’s operations management team is responsible for designing efficient farming processes, managing stock levels, and maintaining quality standards.

Recently, FarmFresh implemented a real-time automated stock management system and green supply chain management practices to minimise its carbon footprint, such as using renewable energy for storage facilities and reducing transportation waste. However, the company faces challenges in balancing cost-efficiency with sustainability goals.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of FarmFresh implementing green supply chain management practices.

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26 marks

Case Study

FarmFresh Organic Produce is a large agricultural business focusing on sustainable farming. The company grows organic fruits and vegetables and supplies them to supermarkets and local farmers’ markets. FarmFresh’s operations management team is responsible for designing efficient farming processes, managing stock levels, and maintaining quality standards.

Recently, FarmFresh implemented a real-time automated stock management system and green supply chain management practices to minimise its carbon footprint, such as using renewable energy for storage facilities and reducing transportation waste. However, the company faces challenges in balancing cost-efficiency with sustainability goals.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of FarmFresh updating its stock management systems.

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34 marks

Case Study

SafeGuardian is a large private security company providing guard and surveillance services to corporate clients and large events. The company’s operations management team is focused on capacity planning to ensure the right number of guards are available for various contracts, ranging from 24/7 office security to short-term event coverage.

SafeGuardian recently introduced a quality control system to monitor service standards, including periodic training and performance evaluations. However, the company faces challenges in balancing the workloads of its 800 employees' workloads while maintaining client satisfaction.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of SafeGuardian using a quality control system to monitor service standards.

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44 marks

Case Study

SafeGuardian is a large private security company providing guard and surveillance services to corporate clients and large events. The company’s operations management team is focused on capacity planning to ensure the right number of guards are available for various contracts, ranging from 24/7 office security to short-term event coverage.

SafeGuardian recently introduced a quality control system to monitor service standards, including periodic training and performance evaluations. However, the company faces challenges in balancing the workloads of its 800 employees' workloads while maintaining client satisfaction.

Describe two methods SafeGuardian could use to improve employee training as part of its quality control system.

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56 marks

Case Study

Ocean Clean Marine Services is an organisation specialising in cleaning marine environments by removing plastic waste and other pollutants. The company uses a fleet of vessels equipped with advanced waste collection systems and employs divers for underwater clean-up operations.

To improve efficiency, Ocean Clean has introduced lean production techniques, including a just-in-time (JIT) inventory system for equipment as well as continuous improvement initiatives. However, the company faces challenges in reducing downtime between clean-ups and ensuring safety standards are upheld during operations.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of Ocean Clean implementing lean production techniques

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64 marks

Case Study

Ocean Clean Marine Services is an organisation specialising in cleaning marine environments by removing plastic waste and other pollutants. The company uses a fleet of vessels equipped with advanced waste collection systems and employs divers for underwater cleanup operations.

To improve efficiency, Ocean Clean has introduced lean production techniques, including a just-in-time (JIT) inventory system for equipment as well as continuous improvement initiatives. However, the company faces challenges in reducing downtime between clean-ups and ensuring safety standards are upheld during operations.

Describe two ways Ocean Clean could maintain safety standards during its marine clean-up operations.

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