AQA GCSE Business Studies - Unit 1 Topic 5 - Methods of Production

AQA GCSE Business Studies - Unit 1 Topic 5 - Methods of Production

1. Efficiency and Product Quality

   • Efficiency is how well the product is made, for example, if the rate of production is high and the amount of waste left over is low, the the production of the product is efficient.
   • Quality is the extent to which a consumer is satisfied with a product and this is important because to get a good customer base, the product has to be good.

2. Batch Production

   • Batch production is a method of production in which a group of similar products are produced at the same time. This means that all the products are made at the same speed and are all identical, meaning that they are not as expensive to buy.
   • Bakeries use batch production to make their bread and cakes.
   • Wallpaper manufacturers use it to make their products identical.
   • Fish and chip shops.
   • Advantages: Can be made to be very efficient, cheaper to do than job production and it allows employees to become good at a particular task, rather than doing lots of different tasks.
   • Disadvantages: Sales have to be estimated each time, can cause a loss in profit if lots of products are left over and time can be lost when switching between batches.

3. Job Production

   • Job production is a method of production in which a product is supplied to meet the exact requirements of a customer. This means that all of the products are made differently and will vary significantly from customer to customer.
   • Garden design is done using job production as each garden varies.
   • Tailors use it as they make suits and clothes for lots of different people who vary in size and taste.
   • Personal trainers.
   • Advantages: Higher prices can be charged as the product is individual, unique products can be made and employees may be more motivated and take pride in their work.
   • Disadvantages: Employees have to be highly skilled and are often paid more, production can be long and expensive and economies of scale are not possible.

4. Technology in the workplace.

   • Can be used to make products.
   • Products can be registered in the business electronically.
   • Can be used to check products before sale.
   • More time efficient.
   • Can create better products.
   • Cost to install is high.
   • Not always accurate.
   • Expensive to replace.