6. Which method of production would you choose for a) custom-made goods and b) standard goods? What are the most important factors in these methods?

Goods are called custom-made when they are made to customer specifications. I would choose intermittent method of production for custom-made goods, because many designs and styles are possible with this method and the design can easily be changed to suit each individual customer. When custom-made goods are produced, only a limited number, perhaps only one, of each specification are made. Therefore, automatic machines have limited use, and increased labor is necessary, which makes custom-made goods expensive.

Standard goods suit large number of customers and the demand for standard goods is larger than the demand for custom-made goods. To produce standard goods I would choose continuous method of production, because with this method I could produce standard goods with much lower costs than they would be if I chose intermittent method. It’s because continuous production uses specialized machinery, and labor and equipment work continuously, making one type of product for a long period of time. Standard goods usually carry the manufacturer’s brand and are advertised over a large area to reach many customers.

In deciding on the type of production to use in a plant, the most important factors are volume and the number of models and designs. Intermittent production can be used if volume is small or there are many designs. In continuous production the volume must be large and the products must be standardized. Often a company begins production with job lots using intermittent production. As the company grows and the volume increases, it is more efficient to use continuous production.

7. What two methods do employers use to select applicants for an interview? Suppose you are to employ a manager for your firm. Which method would you use?

The personnel department should have a method for choosing the best candidate from among the applicants for the position. In some companies this may involve testing prospective employees. Civil service or government jobs often require applicants to compete with each other on written tests. Those applicants with the highest scores are selected for an interview.

Other companies may assign points for certain items on the application form, such as experience or education. They may then total the points and select the applicants with the highest totals. After the applications have been evaluated, the best qualified applicants are invited to an interview.

In the interview the applicant’s personality and ability to work with others may be judged.

If I employed a manager for my firm, I would better use the second method to select applicants for an interview, but I would change this method a little bit. I would look at certain items on the application interview, which are important for current job, such as the address of the applicant, his or her education, experience, age, a private automobile if needed, and so on. In addition, the applicants should enclose a personal photo. From my point of view, appearance is not less important factor that influences my decision about employing a manager for my firm than items above. For me personally, it is hard to work with people that I don’t like, or whom I don’t trust. The applicants with the most suitable items and appropriate appearance would be invited to an interview.