Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-3-production-efficiency [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IB Diploma](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business.md) › [Business Management: IB Diploma](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma.md) › Production Efficiency # Production Efficiency Business Management: IB Diploma, topic 5.2.3 ## Lean Production Lean production techniques are geared towards reducing waste during production. Two examples are (just in time, another method, will be covered later): ### Cell production ![Cell production](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-06/5866480d-a3af-422a-be1f-f02e9bcd59c9/motivation.jpg) - Workers are grouped into multi-skilled teams within cells. - Different teams are assigned to different aspects of the production process. - A cells passes on completed products to the next cell in the production process. - Efficiency may be improved because: - Workers are more motivated (because they work within a team with extra responsibilities). - Workers share expertise and skills. ### Kaizen ![Kaizen](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-06/15f06bdb-21bf-47d1-8766-a7e47e72cc64/Kaizen.png) - The Japanese term kaizen means continuous improvement. - The process focuses on workers continuously making small improvements for overall progress and productivity gains in a firm. ## Managing Stock - Just in Time Just in time (JIT) is a method for managing stock that aims to keep stock levels very low at all times. ### Benefits of JIT ![Benefits of JIT](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/093916a2-ff90-4548-a71f-936cb8545abd/shutterstock_291468602.jpg) - JIT can reduce costs because a business does not have to pay for storage space for the stock and the business is likely to have less unsold stock. - Storage also adds other costs, for example damage to stock, stock insurance and security to protect the stock. ### Disadvantages of JIT ![Disadvantages of JIT](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/afe4c760-d2af-4b33-be39-0ad6d607bec4/shutterstock_363108614.jpg) - JIT usually needs more frequent deliveries. More deliveries usually means higher transport and logistic costs. There may also be environmental costs and an impact on the local community. – Because a firm using JIT is buying in lower quantities, rather than in bulk, they will get smaller or no discounts on the materials that they are buying. - With JIT, there is a higher chance that the business will not be able to meet demand if there is an unexpected spike in demand. This is because they do not keep stock in reserve (buffer stock). ## Test yourself on Production Efficiency - What does the Japanese term kaizen mean? - Features of Cell Production - For a lemonade business using JIT, what may happen in a heatwave? - Which of the following is an advantage of JIT? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/96f95cf2-8acd-4f01-87ce-ad02d9a86dab/section/d94fbe3d-dfa1-4175-a895-9a424f6eea2c/session) - Previous topic: [5.2.2 Production Processes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-2-production-processes.md) - Next topic: [5.2.4 Technology & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-4-technology-and-production.md) ## Business Management: IB Diploma contents ### 1 Business Organisation & Environment - 1.1 Introduction to Business Management - [1.1.1 Why Businesses Exist & Sectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-1-1-why-businesses-exist-and-sectors.md) - 1.2 Types of Organisation - [1.2.1 Sole Traders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-1-sole-traders.md) - [1.2.2 Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-2-limited-liability.md) - [1.2.3 Non-Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-3-non-profit.md) - [1.2.4 Franchising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-4-franchising.md) - [1.2.5 End of Topic Test - Franchising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-5-end-of-topic-test-franchising.md) - 1.3 Organisational Objectives - [1.3.1 External Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-1-external-environments.md) - [1.3.2 Business Mission & Corporate Objective](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-2-business-mission-and-corporate-objective.md) - [1.3.3 Mission, Corporate Objectives & Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-3-mission-corporate-objectives-and-strategy.md) - [1.3.4 SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-4-swot-analysis.md) - [1.3.5 End of Topic Test - SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-5-end-of-topic-test-swot-analysis.md) - 1.4 Stakeholders - [1.4.1 Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-4-1-stakeholders.md) - 1.5 External Environment - [1.5.1 Social & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-1-social-and-technological-environment.md) - [1.5.2 Lifestyle & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-2-lifestyle-and-technological-environment.md) - [1.5.3 Corporate Social Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-3-corporate-social-responsibility.md) - [1.5.4 Economic Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-4-economic-environment.md) - [1.5.5 Political & Legal Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-5-political-and-legal-change.md) - 1.6 Growth & Evolution - [1.6.1 Growth & Retrenchment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-1-growth-and-retrenchment.md) - [1.6.2 Challenges of Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-2-challenges-of-growth.md) - [1.6.3 Growth Models](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-3-growth-models.md) - [1.6.4 End of Topic Test - Diseconomies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-4-end-of-topic-test-diseconomies-of-scale.md) - [1.6.5 Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-5-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.6 Sourcing Resources & Entering Markets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-6-sourcing-resources-and-entering-markets.md) - [1.6.7 End of Topic Test - Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-7-end-of-topic-test-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.8 Managing Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-8-managing-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.9 Impact of Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-9-impact-of-internationalisation.md) - 1.7 HL Only: Organisational Planning Tools - [1.7.1 Organisational Planning Tools](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-7-1-organisational-planning-tools.md) ### 2 Human Resource Management - 2.1 Functions & Evolution of Human Resource Management - [2.1.1 Setting Human Resource Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-1-setting-human-resource-objectives.md) - [2.1.2 Human Resource Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-2-human-resource-management.md) - [2.1.3 Labour Turnover & Retention](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-3-labour-turnover-and-retention.md) - [2.1.4 Labour Productivity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-4-labour-productivity.md) - 2.2 Organisational Structure - [2.2.1 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-2-1-organisational-structures.md) - 2.3 Leadership & Management - [2.3.1 Managers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-1-managers.md) - [2.3.2 Management Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-2-management-theories.md) - [2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-3-end-of-topic-test-management.md) - 2.4 Motivation - [2.4.1 Motivating & Engaging Employees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-1-motivating-and-engaging-employees.md) - [2.4.2 Taylor's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-2-taylors-theory.md) - [2.4.3 Maslow's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-3-maslows-theory.md) - [2.4.4 Herzberg's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-4-herzbergs-theory.md) - [2.4.5 Different Incentives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-5-different-incentives.md) - [2.4.6 Evaluating Incentives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-6-evaluating-incentives.md) - 2.5 Organisational (Corporate) Culture - [2.5.1 Managing Organisational Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-5-1-managing-organisational-culture.md) - [2.5.2 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-5-2-organisational-structures.md) - 2.6 HL Only: Industrial/Employee Relations - [2.6.1 Improving Employer-Employee Relations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-6-1-improving-employer-employee-relations.md) - [2.6.2 Case Study - The Winter of Discontent](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-6-2-case-study-the-winter-of-discontent.md) ### 3 Finance & Accounts - 3.1 Sources of Finance - [3.1.1 Internal Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-1-internal-sources-of-finance.md) - [3.1.2 External Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-2-external-sources-of-finance.md) - [3.1.3 Factors for Financing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-3-factors-for-financing.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Debt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-debt.md) - 3.2 Costs & Revenues - [3.2.1 Costs & Revenues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-2-1-costs-and-revenues.md) - 3.3 Break-Even Analysis - [3.3.1 Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-3-1-profit.md) - [3.3.2 Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-3-2-break-even-analysis.md) - 3.4 Profitability & Liquidity Ratio Analysis - [3.4.1 Profitability Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-4-1-profitability-analysis.md) - 3.5 Cash Flow - [3.5.1 Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-1-cash-flow.md) - [3.5.2 Solutions to Cash Flow Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-2-solutions-to-cash-flow-problems.md) - [3.5.3 Improving Cash Flow & Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-3-improving-cash-flow-and-profits.md) - 3.6 HL Only: Investment Appraisal - [3.6.1 Investment Appraisal](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-6-1-investment-appraisal.md) - 3.7 HL Only: Budgets - [3.7.1 Cash-Flow & Budgets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-7-1-cash-flow-and-budgets.md) ### 4 Marketing - 4.1 The Role of Marketing - [4.1.1 Setting Marketing Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-1-1-setting-marketing-objectives.md) - [4.1.2 Market Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-1-2-market-calculations.md) - 4.2 Marketing Planning - [4.2.1 Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-1-marketing-mix.md) - [4.2.2 Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-2-segmentation.md) - [4.2.3 Niche & Mass Markets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-3-niche-and-mass-markets.md) - 4.3 Market Research - [4.3.1 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-1-market-research.md) - [4.3.2 Market Mapping](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-2-market-mapping.md) - [4.3.3 Methods of Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-3-methods-of-market-research.md) - 4.4 The 4 Ps - [4.4.1 Product Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-1-product-decisions.md) - [4.4.2 Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-2-pricing-decisions-and-price-skimming.md) - [4.4.3 Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-3-pricing-decisions-and-price-penetration.md) - [4.4.4 End of Topic Test - Pricing & Competition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-4-end-of-topic-test-pricing-and-competition.md) - [4.4.5 Promotional Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-5-promotional-decisions.md) - [4.4.6 Promotional Decisions 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-6-promotional-decisions-2.md) - [4.4.7 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-7-promotional-decisions-3.md) - [4.4.8 Digital Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-8-digital-marketing.md) - [4.4.9 Evaluating Digital Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-9-evaluating-digital-marketing.md) - [4.4.10 Case Study - The Marketing Mix & Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-10-case-study-the-marketing-mix-and-promotion.md) - [4.4.11 Place & Distribution](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-11-place-and-distribution.md) - 4.5 HL Only: The Extended Marketing Mix - [4.5.1 The Extended Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-5-1-the-extended-marketing-mix.md) - 4.6 HL Only: International Marketing - [4.6.1 International Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-6-1-international-marketing.md) - 4.7 E-Commerce - [4.7.1 E-Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-7-1-e-commerce.md) ### 5 Operations Management - 5.1 The Role of Operations Management - [5.1.1 Setting Operational Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-1-1-setting-operational-objectives.md) - 5.2 Production Methods - [5.2.1 Production Processes Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-1-production-processes-overview.md) - [5.2.2 Production Processes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-2-production-processes.md) - [5.2.3 Production Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-3-production-efficiency.md) - [5.2.4 Technology & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-4-technology-and-production.md) - 5.3 HL Only: Lean Prodution & Quality Management - [5.3.1 Importance of Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-1-importance-of-quality.md) - [5.3.2 Measuring & Identifying Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-2-measuring-and-identifying-quality.md) - [5.3.3 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-3-total-quality-management.md) - [5.3.4 Evaluating Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-4-evaluating-total-quality-management.md) - [5.3.5 Case Study - Toyota Production System](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-5-case-study-toyota-production-system.md) - 5.4 HL Only: Production Planning - [5.4.1 Capacity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-1-capacity.md) - [5.4.2 Productivity & Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-2-productivity-and-efficiency.md) - [5.4.3 Technology & Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-3-technology-and-efficiency.md) - [5.4.4 Improving the Supply Chain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-4-improving-the-supply-chain.md) - [5.4.5 Inventory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-5-inventory.md) - [5.4.6 Outsourcing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-6-outsourcing.md) - 5.5 HL Only: Research & Development - [5.5.1 Organisational Planning Tools](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-5-1-organisational-planning-tools.md)