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Date November 2018 Marks available 4 Reference code 18N.1.HL.TZ0.4
Level Higher level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Explain Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Sam and Finn are having difficulties resolving their disagreements. Finn was convinced that the problems at AFA should be resolved by a change in the organizational structure. Sam, however, was convinced that he should strengthen the organizational culture. Sam reluctantly accepted the need for greater delegation but insisted that there should be more training for all employees on the culture and ethics of AFA.

As part of greater delegation, Kim was given responsibility for the relationship between AFA and its suppliers. Kim is concerned that she spends a lot of time chasing orders that do not arrive and dealing with the poor quality of orders. Some products have to be thrown away because they have passed their sell-by dates*. Others have to be returned to suppliers because the outlet managers do not accept the poor quality and therefore cannot be sold.

AFA’s stock of fair trade woollen hats has now reached 500, with an annual sales average of around 1250 for the whole business. Kim wants to introduce lean production including total quality management (TQM) throughout AFA’s operations and has created a Gantt chart to show the stages in implementation.

 

Figure 1: Gantt chart for the implementation of lean production including TQM at AFA

 


* sell-by dates: dates printed on the packaging of products that state the date after which the product can no longer be sold.

Refer to the As Fair As case study (SL/HL paper 1 Nov 2018).

State two elements of an organizational culture.

[2]
a.

Refer to the As Fair As case study (SL/HL paper 1 Nov 2018).

(i) Calculate the inventory/stock turnover for woollen hats (show all your working).

(ii) Comment on your result in (b)(i).

[4]
b.

Refer to the As Fair As case study (SL/HL paper 1 Nov 2018).

Explain the usefulness of a Gantt chart to AFA in planning the implementation of a new process.

[4]
c.

Refer to the As Fair As case study (SL/HL paper 1 Nov 2018).

Discuss the value to AFA of lean production methods.

[10]
d.

Markscheme

References could be made to:

Where these are shown above as either/or this can only be rewarded as one element eg if both leadership and management are stated this is only one element.

References could be made to power culture, role culture, task culture and person culture.

Elements should relate to internal factors and not external factors such as the culture of the country.

Award [1] for each element to a maximum of [2]. This answer does not need to be in context.

a.

(i) Stocks = 500, annual sales = 1250 so turnover = 1250 500 = 2.5 times a year.

Allow 500 1250  × 365 = 146 days.

Award [2] for a correct answer which must include “2.5 times” or “2.5 times per year” or 146 days.

Award [1] for an attempt (eg calculating days sales in stocks as 146 days, or, making a mistake or no units).

If the [2] mark answer does not appear in (i) but does appear in (ii) then (i) can be rewarded retrospectively – you will have to go back to mark entry for (i).

Do not reward 500 + 1250 or  500 1250 .

 

(ii) Seems very low – is the product seasonal? Is there poor management of stock control?

Use OFR.

Award [1] for a simple statement and [2] if the statement is in context.
Do not reward simply putting the answer into words.

b.

Usefulness includes:

Context could also be lean production.

Usefulness could also be considered using shortcomings of Gantt.

An explanation will usually include at least two uses/features of a Gantt chart.

Award [4] for a good explanation using context effectively.

Award [3] for either:

Award [2] for an explanation, but no context.

Award [1] for some understanding.

c.

Refer to Paper 1 markbands for May 2016 forward, available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

Contextual issues:

Aspects of lean production:

Might include: Kaizen, total quality management (TQM), cell production, flexible specialisms, simultaneous engineering, JIT and process innovation, such as greater use of IT.

Most likely are JIT, total quality management (TQM), process innovation, Kaizen.

However:

Marks should be allocated according to the paper 1 mark bands for May 2016 forward, section B.

Theoretical answer or context limited to naming the business max [4].

One-sided discussion limited to [5].

Both sides considered, good use of evidence, particularly from section B, but no effective conclusion award a maximum of [8].

For [10] the answer needs to be clearly relevant to AFA with good use of context and a clear sense of the value to AFA argued convincingly.

d.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.
[N/A]
d.

Syllabus sections

Last exams 2023 » Unit 1: Business organization and environment » 1.7 Organizational planning tools (HL only) » The value to an organization of these planning tools
Last exams 2023 » Unit 1: Business organization and environment » 1.7 Organizational planning tools (HL only) » The following planning tools in a given situation: fishbone diagram, decision tree, force field analysis, Gantt chart
Last exams 2023 » Unit 1: Business organization and environment » 1.7 Organizational planning tools (HL only)
First exams 2024 » Business management toolkit » Gantt chart
Last exams 2023 » Unit 1: Business organization and environment
First exams 2024 » Business management toolkit
Last exams 2023
First exams 2024

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