week 3 34

1. A level production strategy relies on a constant output rate and capacity
while varying inventory and backlog levels to handle the fluctuating demand
pattern. Describe why or why not a pure service industry (e.g. accounting or
law firms) may or may not be able to implement this type of technique.
Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.
2. Review the various Lean production and Six Sigma quality tools outlined
in Chapter 8. Select a tool or process that could be implemented in your
current or past organization and describe how this tool could be used in
improving supply chain management. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ postings.
3. Find the price of a Big Mac at a local McDonald’s. Compare your price for
a local Big Mac against the “Big Mac Index”
(http://www.economist.com/node/13055650?story_id=E1_TPDVVGVD). Select a
country and in 200 to 250 words try to explain why there may be a
discrepancy between the Big Mac Index based on the exchange rate and the
actual price of a Big Mac. Be sure to respond to at least two of your fellow
student’s posts.
4. Based on your “Big Mac” post and using the first letter of your last
name, identify a country that starts with that letter on the Big Mac Index
(http://www.economist.com/node/13055650?story_id=E1_TPDVVGVD). a country is
not listed with that letter, use the second letter in your last name. In 200
to 250 words, discuss whether you should be exporting or importing Big Macs
from that country. Explain your reasoning. Be sure to respond to at least
two of your fellow student’s posts.