Enterprise Pillar
E1 – Enterprise Operations 28 August 2012 – Tuesday Morning Session Instructions to candidates You are allowed three hours to answer this question paper. You are allowed 20 minutes reading time before the examination begins during which you should read the question paper and, if you wish, highlight and/or make notes on the question paper. However, you will not be allowed, under any circumstances, to open the answer book and start writing or use your calculator during the reading time. You are strongly advised to carefully read ALL the question requirements before attempting the question concerned (that is all parts and/or subquestions). ALL answers must be written in the answer book. Answers or notes written on the question paper will not be submitted for marking. ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY. Section A comprises 10 sub-questions and is on pages 2 to 4. Section B comprises 6 sub-questions and is on page 5. Section C comprises 2 questions and is on pages 6 and 7. The list of verbs as published in the syllabus is given for reference on page 11. Write your candidate number, the paper number and examination subject title in the spaces provided on the front of the answer book. Also write your contact ID and name in the space provided in the right hand margin and seal to close. Tick the appropriate boxes on the front of the answer book to indicate the questions you have answered.
E1 – Enterprise Operations
DO NOT OPEN THIS QUESTION PAPER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO
TURN OVER
© The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 2012
SECTION A – 20 MARKS [You are advised to spend no longer than 36 minutes on this question]
ANSWER ALL TEN SUB-QUESTIONS
Instructions for answering Section A The answers to the ten sub-questions in Section A should ALL be written in your answer book. Your answers should be clearly numbered with the sub-question number and ruled off so the markers know which sub-question you are answering. For multiple choice questions you need only write the sub-question number and the answer option you have chosen. You do not need to start a new page for each sub-question. Each of the sub-questions numbered from 1.1 to 1.10 inclusive, given below, has only ONE correct answer. Each is worth two marks.
Question One 1.1
The most significant emerging global economies, in terms of growing power and influence, are normally referred to as which ONE of the following categories?
A
Developed economies
B
BRIC economies
C
Northern hemisphere economies
D
G14 economies (2 marks)
1.2
According to Herzberg, pay, status and working conditions are examples of which ONE of the following?
A
The preference of Theory Y workers
B
Self actualisation
C
Motivators
D
Hygiene factors (2 marks)
1.3
An assessment centre commonly refers to which ONE of the following?
A
A building where testing occurs
B
An approach to selection
C
An approach to recruitment
D
Online supplier vetting procedure (2 marks)
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1.4
The system of policies by which an organisation is directed and controlled is known as which ONE of the following?
A
Corporate governance
B
Corporate social responsibility
C
Corporate infrastructure
D
Corporate strategic apex (2 marks)
1.5
In social marketing, goods that society discourages because of their negative social effects are known as which ONE of the following?
A
Demerit goods
B
Durable goods
C
International embargoes
D
Imports (2 marks)
1.6
Organisational costs associated with contracted out activities are known as which ONE of the following?
A
Transaction costs
B
Offshoring costs
C
Transfer costs
D
Social costs (2 marks)
1.7
For organisations failing to adopt the marketing philosophy, which ONE of the following is NOT recognised as an alternative?
A
Sales orientation
B
Product orientation
C
Lean orientation
D
Production orientation (2 marks)
1.8
Corporate political activity often involves which ONE of the following?
A
Clarifying corporate social responsibility
B
Scanning the microenvironment
C
Lobbying and political campaign contributions
D
Internal marketing (2 marks)
Section A continues on the next page TURN OVER September 2012
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1.9
The basis of a psychological contract is
A
an understanding of mutual obligations between a worker and the organisation.
B
a corporate responsibility to act in a way that does not harm the environment.
C
an emotional affinity for a particular product brand.
D
an organisation-wide commitment to listen to customer views. (2 marks)
1.10 Which ONE of the following is the most complete measure of national economic growth? A
Inflation levels
B
Unemployment levels
C
The overall level of the FTSE 100 index
D
Gross National Product (2 marks)
(Total for Section A = 20 marks)
Reminder All answers to Section A must be written in your answer book Answers or notes to Section A written on the question paper will not be submitted for marking End of Section A Section B starts on the opposite page
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SECTION B – 30 MARKS [You are advised to spend no longer than 9 minutes on each sub-question in this section]
ANSWER ALL SIX SUB-QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION - 5 MARKS EACH Question Two
(a)
Identify FIVE main advantages of keeping an in-house IS function. (5 marks)
(b)
Explain the benefits of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) to an organisation. (5 marks)
(c)
Explain how Material Requirements Planning (MRP) might improve operations. (5 marks)
(d)
Describe briefly the FIVE main stages involved in the (rational) process of consumer behaviour when making a purchase. (5 marks)
(e)
Explain queuing theory and give examples of the ways in which it might benefit a hospital providing services to the public. (5 marks)
(f)
Identify FIVE potential difficulties that might arise for an organisation following the introduction of a new system if support and training are inadequate. (5 marks)
(Total for Section B = 30 marks)
End of Section B Section C starts on the next page
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SECTION C – 50 MARKS [You are advised to spend no longer than 45 minutes on each question in this section]
ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION – 25 MARKS EACH
Question Three BC4 is a manufacturer of bedroom furniture with four factories in the south of the country. As a result of declining company financial performance, the Managing Director (MD) engaged a management consultant to conduct an overall review of BC4’s activities and highlight the issues of greatest concern. The management consultant’s main findings are as follows: •
No systematic Quality Control exists and differing operating efficiencies exist both within and between BC4’s factories;
•
There is an increasing incidence of furniture being returned which requires replacement or reworking. There are also a substantial number of items returned as part of extended guarantee arrangements;
•
Currently BC4 tries to sell its full product range to all potential customers, even though it is geographically difficult to fulfil obligations to customers in the north of the country. BC4 needs to rethink this marketing approach and should undertake careful market segmentation.
Having considered the consultant’s report, the MD has decided that BC4 will conduct a detailed exercise in market segmentation and, furthermore, will put in place measures to improve product quality. He thinks that obtaining certification under international quality standard ISO 9000 should deliver significant benefits to BC4, even though the company has no immediate plans to sell globally. The Production Manager has, however, previously suggested to him that the way forward is to employ dedicated Quality Control (QC) inspectors as part of a Quality Control (QC) system.
Required: (a)
Describe the advantages of market segmentation to BC4. (10 marks)
(b)
Describe the advantages of quality standard ISO 9000 certification to BC4. (10 marks)
(c)
Discuss briefly how the Production Manager's suggestion could benefit BC4 as part of an alternative Quality Control (QC) system. (5 marks) (Total for Question Three = 25 marks)
Section C continues on the opposite page
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Question Four T42 Communication Services is a leading business solutions provider that was founded by two friends who studied at university together 30 years ago. T42’s webpage explains its business approach as follows: “While many changes have occurred in the industry over the past 30 years, our belief in the need for the best customised communication system and high level of commitment has remained. T42’s highly trained staff ensure customers always receive excellent reliability and technology. Should a problem arise, T42’s own technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”. T42 employs 200 technicians who each have detailed specialist knowledge of different systems and a sales team which stays up to date on the different solutions available. T42’s call centre staff forward most queries from existing customers to the relevant technician and enquiries from potential new business clients to the sales team. One of T42’s founders has retired but the other acts as Chief Executive. He meets monthly with the company’s Chief Operations Officer to review company strategy and performance (including budgetary position and comparative ratio analysis from the competitive benchmarking that T42 undertakes). At the last meeting they noted that • • •
staffing costs as a proportion of sales are higher than its competitors; several competitors are now offshoring some of their activities; T42’s technicians are highly skilled and knowledgeable but in only a few systems.
The Chief Executive drew reference to the training budget and has asked if economies could be made. For their next scheduled meeting the Chief Operations Officer has agreed to investigate the potential for offshoring part of T42’s operations and introducing job rotation amongst technicians. She has also agreed to review current training provision.
Required: (a)
Describe the issues T42 should take account of as part of its consideration of the potential for offshoring. (10 marks)
(b)
Explain the benefits of introducing job rotation amongst technicians for T42. (10 marks)
(c)
Discuss briefly the factors that should be taken into account when deciding upon T42's training provision and budget. (5 marks) (Total for Question Four = 25 marks)
(Total marks for Section C = 50 marks)
End of Question Paper
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LIST OF VERBS USED IN THE QUESTION REQUIREMENTS A list of the learning objectives and verbs that appear in the syllabus and in the question requirements for each question in this paper. It is important that you answer the question according to the definition of the verb. LEARNING OBJECTIVE Level 1 - KNOWLEDGE What you are expected to know.
Level 2 - COMPREHENSION What you are expected to understand.
VERBS USED
DEFINITION
List State Define
Make a list of Express, fully or clearly, the details/facts of Give the exact meaning of
Describe Distinguish Explain
Communicate the key features Highlight the differences between Make clear or intelligible/State the meaning or purpose of Recognise, establish or select after consideration Use an example to describe or explain something
Identify Illustrate Level 3 - APPLICATION How you are expected to apply your knowledge.
Apply Calculate Demonstrate Prepare Reconcile Solve Tabulate
Level 4 - ANALYSIS How you are expected to analyse the detail of what you have learned.
Level 5 - EVALUATION How you are expected to use your learning to evaluate, make decisions or recommendations.
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Analyse Categorise Compare and contrast
To put to practical use Ascertain or reckon mathematically To prove with certainty or to exhibit by practical means Make or get ready for use Make or prove consistent/compatible Find an answer to Arrange in a table
Construct Discuss Interpret Prioritise Produce
Examine in detail the structure of Place into a defined class or division Show the similarities and/or differences between Build up or compile Examine in detail by argument Translate into intelligible or familiar terms Place in order of priority or sequence for action Create or bring into existence
Advise Evaluate Recommend
Counsel, inform or notify Appraise or assess the value of Propose a course of action
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Enterprise Operations
Enterprise Pillar
Operational Level Paper
E1 – Enterprise Operations
September 2012
Tuesday Morning Session
Enterprise Operations
12
September 2012