Chapter 04 – Process Selection
31. The focus of the factory may take shape around several dimensions. Which of the
following is NOT a dimension for focusing operations?
32. Which of the following statements about the evolution of production process and product
life cycles is FALSE?
33. Which of the following statements concerning make-to-order (MTO) is correct?
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37. Which of the following would NOT be considered an advantage of 3-D printing?
38. Which of the following items is least suited for 3-D printing?
39. A neighborhood hardware store mixes a gallon of paint to match a customer’s color
choice while the customer waits. This is which form of mass customization?
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43. A company produces a variety of cast cement bird baths and outdoor sculptures and sells
them to garden store retailers. This company most likely uses
True/False Questions
44. Continuous processes and assembly lines are very efficient but have little flexibility.
45. The key performance measure of a make-to-order process is the lead time.
46. In a batch operation, each product must have the same flow path and must pass through all
of the same work centers.
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47. In an assemble-to-order process, the subassemblies are made to order, while final
assembly is made to stock.
48. An assembly line process requires high labor skills and high pay.
49. Mixing a variety of products with different volumes and different levels of standardization
leads to a lack of focus.
50. In an assemble-to–order operation, the order penetration point is after fabrication and
before final assembly.
Chapter 04 – Process Selection
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Essay Questions
55. Classify the following examples as continuous, line, batch, or project flow processes.
Identify the type of labor (skills, task type, and pay), capital (investment, inventory, and
equipment), and control and planning (production and inventory control) requirements for
these processes. Explain your choices.
a. Building an aircraft at Boeing.
b. Building sports utility vehicles (SUVs) at Toyota Motor Corporation.
c. Refining gasoline in the oil and gas industry.
d. Processing checks at Chase Bank.
e. Offering consulting services through a major consulting firm .
LO: 4.1
Topic: Product Flow Characteristics
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
AACSB: Reflective thinking, written communication
Bloom’s: Analyze
Feedback: See below.
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56. Hayes and Wheelwright argued that it is profitable for firms to operate along the diagonal
of the product-process matrix. Justify the reason surrounding their argument. Can you think of
situations in which firms could move away from the diagonal and yet remain profitable?
LO: 4.4
Topic: Product Process Strategy
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
AACSB: Reflective thinking, written communication
Bloom’s: Analyze
Feedback: See below.
57. Apply the concepts of plant-within-a-plant (PWP) and mass customization to service
organizations. Discuss.
LO: 4.5
Topic: Focused Operations
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
AACSB: Reflective thinking, written communication
Bloom’s: Analyze
Feedback: See below.
Chapter 04 – Process Selection
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58. What are the three areas of process selection decisions that affect environmental impact?
LO: 4.7
Topic: Environmental Concerns
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
AACSB: Reflective thinking
Bloom’s: Remember
Feedback: See below.
59. What are the major cross-functional issues related to process selection decisions?
LO: 4.3
Topic: Process Selection Decisions
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
AACSB: Reflective thinking, written communication
Bloom’s: Analyze
Feedback: See below.