what is job production | A one-off product is made to a customer's own specifications. |
name advantages of job production | More motivating for employees as they see the product from start to finish, Can charge higher prices as product is customised |
name disadvantages of job production | Production can be expensive and time consuming as it's very labour intensive, If working on a job/project then may not get paid until it is completed |
what is batch production | Groups of identical products are made at the same time. |
name advantages of batch production | Each batch can be customised/altered for a specific customer order, The same machinery can be used for each batch, less expensive than job production as less skilled workers are needed |
name disadvantages of batch production | Machinery/employees may be idle between batches which costs the organisation money, can only manufacture on type (batch) of product at a time |
what is flow production | The continuous production of products along an assembly line with parts being added at each stage |
name advantages of flow production | Production can take place 24 hours per day as it's very capital intensive, Standardisation of products, Use of low-skilled workers reduces the wage bill |
name disadvantages of flow production | Can be very expensive to purchase specialised machinery, • If machinery breaks down then production will come to a halt, Jobs are very repetitive which can de- motivate employees |
what factors affect choice of method of production? | finance available
skill of staff
size of premises
quantity required
quality required |
how does available finance affect the choice of method of production? | low amounts of finance may mean a business can't afford to purchase machinery required for flow production |
how does skill of staff affect choice of method of production? | Unskilled staff may mean a business is unable to consider Job Production |
how does size of premises affect choice of method of production? | A small factory may mean a business cannot fit in the large machinery required for Flow Production |
how does quantity required affect a business' choice of method of production? | If a large quantity of products is required then Batch or Flow production would need to be considered |
how does quality required affect a business' choice of method of production? | If a high quality product is required then a business may consider the hand-made quality of Job Production |