A2 - Business - Operational strategies: scale and resource mix

?
  • Created by: jkav
  • Created on: 08-01-16 11:04
Economies of scale
The benefits enjoyed by a firm as a result of operating on a large scale, leading to a fall in average costs.
1 of 12
Diseconomies of scale
The disadvantages experienced by a firm as a result of operating beyond optimum output, leading to a rise in average costs.
2 of 12
Purchasing economies
Benefit of buying on a large scale leading to lower average costs from suppliers.
3 of 12
Technical economies
Ability of larger firms to buy technically advanced equipment and spread the cost over a larger number of units.
4 of 12
Specialisation
The ability to employ specialists, e.g. accountants, and for staff to focus on one particular area of function.
5 of 12
Average cost
Total cost divided by the number of units produced to give cost per item.
6 of 12
Communication diseconomy
The breakdown in effective communication resulting from an increase in size of operations.
7 of 12
Coordination diseconomy
The breakdown in effective coordination resulting from an increase in size of operations.
8 of 12
Resource mix
The combination of capital and human resources utilised within a business to achieve the required output.
9 of 12
Optimum resource mix
The combination of capital and human resources which allows for the greatest efficiency.
10 of 12
Capital intensive
Businesses that rely more heavily upon capital equipment, e.g. machinery and computers rather than labour.
11 of 12
Labour intensive
Businesses that rely more heavily upon labour, i.e. the workforce rather than capital equipment.
12 of 12

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The disadvantages experienced by a firm as a result of operating beyond optimum output, leading to a rise in average costs.

Back

Diseconomies of scale

Card 3

Front

Benefit of buying on a large scale leading to lower average costs from suppliers.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Ability of larger firms to buy technically advanced equipment and spread the cost over a larger number of units.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The ability to employ specialists, e.g. accountants, and for staff to focus on one particular area of function.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Business Studies resources:

See all Business Studies resources »See all Operations management resources »