Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4: Operations management
This section looks at the production processes in any company and investigates different methods of production and the importance of sustainable production. This section also looks at the appropriateness for different businesses and how businesses can improve productivity. The role of technology and the importance of sustainable production is also included, as well as sections on costs, scale of production and break-even analysis are included alongside economies of scale and quality production. This topic concludes with the main factors which influence location decisions. This section includes a number of units which feature in a different order from the new syllabus. These changes are detailed in each individual page. The new Cambridge syllabus also includes a new unit, 4.3 entitled technology and the production of goods and services. This was not covered in the previous syllabus.
Direct links to the pages in this section can be accessed at the following links:
Unit 4.1: Production of goods and services
This lesson focusses on the meaning of the term production, including the difference between production and productivity and the concept of lean production. Lesson time: 95 minutesLesson objectives:
Unit 4.1: Efficiency in production revision
Q1Fill in the gaps______________ production aims to reduce _______________ within business operations in an attempt to increase _________________. This can be achieved by reducing both the amount of _____________________...
Unit 4.1: The main methods of production
This lesson focusses on the features, benefits and limitations of job, batch and flow production and remains unchanged from the previous syllabus.Lesson time: 70 minutesLesson objectives:
Unit 4.1: Methods of production questions
Q1Fill in the gaps_______________ and flow production are two different types of production methods. Job production is used to produce ___________ -___________ products, which are usually made to specific...
Unit 4.1: Case study
This page includes a paper one style examination question with a case study and short answer questions based on the text. The question is marked out of 20 and includes a mark scheme. This is an ideal...
Unit 4.2: How technology has changed and is changing production methods
This lesson focusses on how technology has changed and is changing production methods, e.g. using computers in design and manufacturing. Under the previous syllabus, this section was included in unit...
Unit 4.2: Breakeven charts - comparing costs and revenue
This lesson focusses on the concept of break even and a comparison of revenue and costs. In the new syllabus this section will move to unit 4.4.Lesson time: 85 minutesLesson objectives:
Unit 4.2: Breakeven short response questions
Q1Fill in the gapsA business can work out how many units it needs to sell to cover its costs, known as the ________________-______________ output, using a break-even ___________________. The break-even...
Unit 4.3: Sustainable production of goods and services
This lesson focusses on different methods of sustainable production of goods and services and how businesses can be more sustainable e.g. using renewable energy, using fewer resources / less waste, reusing,...
Business: Unit 4.4: Costs of production
This lesson focusses on identifying and classifying costs e.g. fixed, variable, average, total costs. This page ends with an examination of how firms...
Business: Unit 4.4: Short response questions on cost
It is important for any business to understand and be able to calculate its __________________, ____________________ and profit. Costs are items a...
Business: Unit 4.4: Scale of production
This lesson focusses on the concepts of economies and diseconomies of scale with examples, including purchasing, marketing, financial, managerial and...
Business: Unit 4.4: Company size questions
______________________ is a common business aim that many businesses set. One reason for this is that a large business can enjoy lower average...
Business: Unit 4.5: Achieving quality production
Why quality is important and how quality production might be achieved and why it is important for any business to focus on quality. Lesson time: 45...
Business: Unit 4.5: Worksheet on quality/stock control
This revision sheet can be completed in 40 minutes and makes a good homework or class exercise.Define the following terms:a. JIT just-in-time...
Business: Unit 4.6: Location decisions
The main factors influencing the location and relocation decisions of a business. This includes factors that a business could consider when deciding...
Business: Unit 4.6: Location revision questions
There are many _____________________a business needs to consider when deciding where to locate. It is not usually as simple as locating where it is...
Business: Unit 4: Case study
This case study is based on a paper one style examination and can be completed in one hour, making it a perfect homework or class exercise. There are...
Business: Unit 4: Review terms
This page includes the review terms for unit 4, operations management. The review terms can be accessed as a PDF file at: Review terms
Business: Unit 4 Multiple choice quiz
This page contains a multiple-choice question on unit 4, operations management.The questions are available as a PDF file at: Questions
Business: Unit 4: Multiple choice II
This page contains a multiple-choice question on unit 4, operations management.The questions on this page are available as a PDF file at: Questions
Selected Pages
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4.4: Scale of production
This lesson focusses on the concepts of economies and diseconomies of scale with examples, including purchasing, marketing,
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4.4: Costs of production
This lesson focusses on identifying and classifying costs e.g. fixed, variable, average, total costs. This page ends with
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4.4: Breakeven short response questions
A business can work out how many units it needs to sell to cover its costs, known as the ________________-______________
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4.4: Breakeven charts - comparing costs and revenue
This lesson focusses on the concept of break even and a comparison of revenue and costs. Lesson time: 85 minutes Lesson
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4.2: How technology has changed and is changing production methods
This lesson focusses on how technology has changed and is changing production methods, e.g. using computers in design and
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Unit 4: Operations
Unit 4: Case study
This case study is based on a paper one style examination and can be completed in one hour, making it a perfect homework