Question 1

What is product life-cycle management (PLM)? List the three primary advantages the PLM software provides.

Accepted Answer

Product Life-Cycle Management (PLM) is a strategic approach to managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception, through engineering design and manufacture, to service and disposal of manufactured products. PLM integrates people, data, processes, and business systems and provides a product information backbone for companies and their extended enterprise.

PLM software is designed to manage this complex process effectively. It allows for the integration of various aspects of product development and maintenance, ensuring that all relevant information is available to those who need it, when they need it. The software can handle data from many different sources and streamline processes to improve efficiency and productivity.

The three primary advantages that PLM software provides are:

1. **Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency**: PLM software automates various processes within the product development cycle, which reduces the time required to bring a product to market. It streamlines workflows and ensures that all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date information, which minimizes errors and rework. This leads to a more efficient use of resources and a faster time-to-market for new products.

2. **Improved Quality and Innovation**: By providing a centralized system for managing product data, PLM software enables companies to maintain high levels of quality control throughout the product's lifecycle. It facilitates better collaboration among different departments, which can lead to more innovative products. The software also helps in capturing and managing product knowledge, which can be used to improve future products.

3. **Cost Reduction**: PLM helps in identifying potential issues early in the product development process, which can save costs associated with late-stage changes and product recalls. It also allows for better management of materials and resources, which can lead to cost savings in procurement and inventory management. By improving the efficiency of the product development process, PLM software can significantly reduce overall costs for a company.

In summary, PLM is a comprehensive approach to managing a product's lifecycle, and PLM software is a critical tool that provides advantages in productivity, innovation, and cost reduction, ultimately leading to a competitive edge in the market.

Question 2

A baseball team is an example of pooled interdependence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

The management systems in both unit production and continuous process are characterized as mechanistic, whereas mass production is seen as organic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

More advanced technology tends to cause job enrichment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

A mediating technology provides products or services that mediate or link clients from the external environment and, in doing so, allows each department to work independently.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Traditional assembly lines, such as for automobiles, are an example of large-batch production.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The goal of the sociotechnical systems approach is to design the organization for pooled interdependence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Hermes International produces a Kelly handbag, named for the late actress Grace Kelly. Craftsmen stitch the majority of each $7,000 bag by hand and sign it when they finish. This is an example of _____ production.

Accepted Answer

A)   small-batch
B)   large-batch
C)   mass
D)   continuous-process

Question 9

Perrow's study is classified as pertaining to organization-level technology, while Woodward's is classified as pertaining to department-level technology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Direct interaction between customer and employee is generally very high with services, while there is little direct interaction between customers and employees in the technical core of a manufacturing firm.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

If interdependence is now pooled, should efforts be made to force the entities into greater interrelationship? Defend your position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If interdependence is now pooled, should efforts...

Question 12

The purpose of the sociotechnical systems approach is to:

Accepted Answer

A)   apply the theory of job enlargement.
B)   provide qualified management to an organization in a turbulent environment.
C)   offer the most advanced information technology possible to maximize organizational competitiveness.
D)   combine human needs with technical efficiency in job design.

Question 13

____ is the highest level of interdependence and exists when the output of operation A is the input to operation B, and the output of operation B is the input back again to operation A.

Accepted Answer

A)   Reciprocal interdependence
B)   Pooled interdependence
C)   Sequential interdependence
D)   Routine interdependence

Question 14

The manufacturing industry has increased three times as fast as the service sector in the North American economy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

John Davis just decided to quit his job with General Motors where he worked in an assembly plant. He is going to open his own shop that will install customized mufflers on cars. Using Woodward's framework, explain the differences in the technologies of these two types of organizations. What resulting differences in organization structure should there be?

Accepted Answer

The answer of John Davis just decided to quit his...

Question 16

Perrow was most concerned with two aspects of technology: variety and interdependence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Characteristics of service technology include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A)   longer response time is acceptable.
B)   labor- and knowledge-intensive.
C)   customer interaction is generally higher.
D)   quality is perceived and difficult to measure.

Question 18

____ production represents mechanization and standardization one step beyond those in an assembly line.

Accepted Answer

A)   Continuous process
B)   Large-batch
C)   Technical complexity
D)   Small-batch.

Question 19

A building contractor is constructing 35 "track homes" on small adjoining parcels. The crew knows that the many subcontractors must complete their work in a proper order. What is your recommendation regarding the level of coordination required?

Accepted Answer

A)   Because this is pooled interdependence, rules from the construction industry should suffice because then everyone on the job can learn the rules for the proper ordering of subcontractors.
B)   Because this is reciprocal interdependence, cross-functional teams among all the subcontractors will be essential.
C)   Because this is sequential interdependence, regularly scheduled meetings and planning will be needed to coordinate the ordering of the work.
D)   Because this is a sociotechnical system, it is most important to design the coordination to improve efficiency, ignoring human needs.

Question 20

Which of the following links together manufacturing components that previously stood alone?

Accepted Answer

A)   Continuous process systems
B)   Flexible manufacturing systems
C)   Advance technological systems
D)   Computerized process systems

Exam 7: Manufacturing and Service Technologies

What is product life-cycle management (PLM)? List the three primary advantages the PLM software provides.

A baseball team is an example of pooled interdependence.

The management systems in both unit production and continuous process are characterized as mechanistic, whereas mass production is seen as organic.

More advanced technology tends to cause job enrichment.

A mediating technology provides products or services that mediate or link clients from the external environment and, in doing so, allows each department to work independently.

Traditional assembly lines, such as for automobiles, are an example of large-batch production.

The goal of the sociotechnical systems approach is to design the organization for pooled interdependence.

Hermes International produces a Kelly handbag, named for the late actress Grace Kelly. Craftsmen stitch the majority of each $7,000 bag by hand and sign it when they finish. This is an example of _____ production.

Perrow's study is classified as pertaining to organization-level technology, while Woodward's is classified as pertaining to department-level technology.

Direct interaction between customer and employee is generally very high with services, while there is little direct interaction between customers and employees in the technical core of a manufacturing firm.

If interdependence is now pooled, should efforts be made to force the entities into greater interrelationship? Defend your position.

The purpose of the sociotechnical systems approach is to:

____ is the highest level of interdependence and exists when the output of operation A is the input to operation B, and the output of operation B is the input back again to operation A.

The manufacturing industry has increased three times as fast as the service sector in the North American economy.

Perrow was most concerned with two aspects of technology: variety and interdependence.

Characteristics of service technology include all of the following except:

____ production represents mechanization and standardization one step beyond those in an assembly line.

A building contractor is constructing 35 "track homes" on small adjoining parcels. The crew knows that the many subcontractors must complete their work in a proper order. What is your recommendation regarding the level of coordination required?

Which of the following links together manufacturing components that previously stood alone?