Raw materials used in the production of a saleable product are classed as ...
Which type of specification is less time-consuming to develop?
There are two major types of specification: conformance and performance specifications. They have the following characteristics:
Since performance specification is often a list of outputs or outcomes, it usually takes less time to develop than conformance specification.
Which of the following are most likely to negatively affect the suppliers' bargaining power in a specific market? Select TWO that apply:
The bargaining power of supplier is a major determinant of the structure of an industry and also how much profit is available to organisation operating in that industry. Supplier is weak if:
- Substitutes are available and easy to access
- Suppliers are small and fragmented
- The industry is important to the seller
- The sellers' product or service is not an important of the industry's value chain
- The sellers' product or service is undifferentiated
- There are no significant switching costs
- There is no threat of forward integration.
Suppliers may have more power:
- If they are in concentrated numbers compared to buyers.
- If there are high switching costs associated with a move to another supplier.
- If they are able to integrate forward or begin producing the product themselves.
- If they have specific expertise or technology needed to manufacture goods.
- If their product is highly differentiated.
- If there are many buyers and none make up significant portions of sales.
- If there are no substitutes available.
- If there are strong end users who can exert power over the organization in favor of a supplier (This can be the case in labor situations).
In all of these cases, the bargaining power of suppliers is high to demand premium prices and set their own timelines.
LO 2, AC 2.2
Which of the following is an assumption of Kano model?
Kano model of excitement and basic quality (Kano et al, 1984; Berger et al, 1993; Matzler et al, 1996) brings a different perspective for the analysis of improvement opportunities in products and services because it takes in consideration the asymmetrical and non-linear relationship between performance and satisfaction. The Kano model classifies customers requirements in three categories (figure 3):
a) Basic Requirements. The basic requirements fulfill the basic functions of a product. If they are not present or their performance is insufficient, customers will be extremely dissatisfied. On the other hand, if they are present or have sufficient performance, they don't bring satisfaction. Customers see them as prerequisites. For instance, for luxury automobiles, 'air bags' are considered basic. A customer won't feel satisfied if the automobile has 'air bag', however he/she will not buy it if ''air bag'' is not present.
b) Performance Requirements. As for these requirements, satisfaction is proportional to the performance level -- the higher the performance, the higher the customer's satisfaction will be and vice-versa. Gas consumption in automobiles is an example of these requirements. Usually customers explicitly demand performance requirements.
c) Excitement Requirements. These requirements are key to customer satisfaction. If they are pre-sent or have sufficient performance, they will bring superior satisfaction. On the other hand, if they are not present or their performance is insufficient, customers will not get dissatisfied. For instance, a surprise gift at the end of a dinner in a restaurant will certainly bring satisfaction, but it will not cause dissatisfaction if not offered. These requirements are not demanded nor expected by customers.
Two other types of requirements may be identified in the Kano model: neutral and reverse ones. Neutral requirements do not bring either satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Reverse requirements bring more satisfaction if absent than if present.
- Integrating Kano model and QFD for Designing New Products
- CIPS study guide page 171-172
A procurement organisation is keen to encourage innovation available within the supply market in the execution of an upcoming significant contract opportunity. A team member suggests that the specification should define the performance indicators so that supplier's solution can be checked against them. Which of the following will enable the organisation to achieve this goal?
The buying organisation is keen to encourage innovation so they should use the outcome or output based specification. In an outcome-based specification, umbrella statements like 'good quality', 'ambient temperature', 'convenient way' are often used. This may confuse the suppliers, and it's hard to check the solution that supplier offers. On the other hand, ouput-based specifications often include measurable requirements. For example, a specification for air conditioning system states that the system should maintain the room temperature at 19-24 degrees Celsius. Therefore, output specification is more appropriate in this case.
LO 3, AC 3.1
