Part I Short Response

PART I: SHORT RESPONSE

Directions: Submit your responses to the questions below.  Responses to the Homework Assignment submissions may not be copied from the text book, the Lecture Notes, or the internet.  The responses need to be in your own words.  Each response should be at least 100 words.  Please ensure that you reference the text book and provide APA citation.

1.   How can a manager determine whether his or her firm needs improvement in control?  If improvement is needed, how can the manager tell what type of control needs improvement (operations, financial, structural, or strategic)?  Describe some steps a manager can take to improve each of these types of control.

2.   Describe the differences between bureaucratic and decentralized control.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

3.   Why do some people resist control?  How can managers help overcome this resistance?

4.   Describe three basic decisions that must be addressed in the design of operations systems.  For each decision, what information do managers need to make that decision?

5.   What is total quality management?  What are the major characteristics of total quality management?