FINAL EXAM
OPERATIONS STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Date: March 24th 2016
Place: Groningen
Time: 18.30-21.30 hour
Number of pages: four pages
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Jan de Vries
Remarks
- This exam is a closed book exam (It is allowed to use a dictionary however)
- Please take care of your handwriting; answers showing unreadable text won’t be
corrected!
- Please be very specific where the answers to all the questions asked below can be found
- It is noticed here that sometimes one question will exist of several subquestions. Explain all
your answers
- write down your name on each sheet of paper!!
- Try to answer the questions in a well-structured way(!).
- It is allowed to answer the questions in Dutch.
- Please……. Think before start writing as a madman!!
WISHING YOU LOTS OF SUCCESS !!
1
, Final exam
Operations Strategy and Technology
1) According to Slack and Lewis, the process of reconciliation is closely linked to the
Operations strategy Decision Matrix.
a) Please capture the Operations strategy decision Matrix by means of a figure. Explain
this matrix and make clear, how the strategy decision matrix is linked to the
reconciliation process (10 points)
Related to the Operations Strategy formulation process and more specifically to the
reconciliation process Slack and Lewis introduce the concepts ‘comprehensiviness’,
‘coherence’, ‘correspondence’ and ‘criticality’.
b) Please explain these four concepts indepth. In doing so, please make clear how these
concepts are related to the reconciliation process. (8 points)
2) Generally, the trade-off concept can be considered as fundamental to our understanding of
operations strategy, both in theory and practice. Moreover, the trade-off concept is strongly
related to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
a) One strategy companies can apply when trying to deal with trade-offs can be addressed
as a mixed-strategy linking an overcoming trade-off strategy to a repositioning trade-
off strategy. Please explain this strategy by means of a figure in which trade-off curves
are used. Please explain this mixed strategy by means of an example (10 points)
b) In general, the concept of trade-offs is frequently criticized by many authors. Please
discuss the concept of trade-off in the context of operations strategy by presenting at
least three main points of criticism, taking the approach of Slack and Lewis into
account. Please give arguments that underpin (onderbouwen) your criticism. (6 points)
3) Within the field of operations management, the product-process matrix is an important
concept. Although developed by Hayes and Wheelwright, Slack and Lewis heavily rely on
the concept of the product-process matrix when relating technology characteristics to
market requirements.
a) Please explain in depth why the concept of ‘natural fit’ is such a crucial element in the
process-product matrix. Please illustrate your answer by means of an example. (10
points)
4) In their book, Slack and Lewis put different ‘new management approaches’ in the context
of Operations Strategy amongst which Total Quality Management., Six Sigma, Lean
Manufacturing and Business Process Reeengineering. In doing so, their key question is
whether this approach is a substitute for strategy or not. Additionally, they address the
2
OPERATIONS STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Date: March 24th 2016
Place: Groningen
Time: 18.30-21.30 hour
Number of pages: four pages
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Jan de Vries
Remarks
- This exam is a closed book exam (It is allowed to use a dictionary however)
- Please take care of your handwriting; answers showing unreadable text won’t be
corrected!
- Please be very specific where the answers to all the questions asked below can be found
- It is noticed here that sometimes one question will exist of several subquestions. Explain all
your answers
- write down your name on each sheet of paper!!
- Try to answer the questions in a well-structured way(!).
- It is allowed to answer the questions in Dutch.
- Please……. Think before start writing as a madman!!
WISHING YOU LOTS OF SUCCESS !!
1
, Final exam
Operations Strategy and Technology
1) According to Slack and Lewis, the process of reconciliation is closely linked to the
Operations strategy Decision Matrix.
a) Please capture the Operations strategy decision Matrix by means of a figure. Explain
this matrix and make clear, how the strategy decision matrix is linked to the
reconciliation process (10 points)
Related to the Operations Strategy formulation process and more specifically to the
reconciliation process Slack and Lewis introduce the concepts ‘comprehensiviness’,
‘coherence’, ‘correspondence’ and ‘criticality’.
b) Please explain these four concepts indepth. In doing so, please make clear how these
concepts are related to the reconciliation process. (8 points)
2) Generally, the trade-off concept can be considered as fundamental to our understanding of
operations strategy, both in theory and practice. Moreover, the trade-off concept is strongly
related to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
a) One strategy companies can apply when trying to deal with trade-offs can be addressed
as a mixed-strategy linking an overcoming trade-off strategy to a repositioning trade-
off strategy. Please explain this strategy by means of a figure in which trade-off curves
are used. Please explain this mixed strategy by means of an example (10 points)
b) In general, the concept of trade-offs is frequently criticized by many authors. Please
discuss the concept of trade-off in the context of operations strategy by presenting at
least three main points of criticism, taking the approach of Slack and Lewis into
account. Please give arguments that underpin (onderbouwen) your criticism. (6 points)
3) Within the field of operations management, the product-process matrix is an important
concept. Although developed by Hayes and Wheelwright, Slack and Lewis heavily rely on
the concept of the product-process matrix when relating technology characteristics to
market requirements.
a) Please explain in depth why the concept of ‘natural fit’ is such a crucial element in the
process-product matrix. Please illustrate your answer by means of an example. (10
points)
4) In their book, Slack and Lewis put different ‘new management approaches’ in the context
of Operations Strategy amongst which Total Quality Management., Six Sigma, Lean
Manufacturing and Business Process Reeengineering. In doing so, their key question is
whether this approach is a substitute for strategy or not. Additionally, they address the
2
