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Evaluate the marketing strategies RDM has in place and discuss a possiblevision In reference to the RDM marketing strategies, apply the 4 P's business tool To what extent does RDM profit from expanding their production facility inEurope How can RDM increase their market growth How can RDM achieve a competitive advantageUnit 5 - Operations Management1.2.3.4.5.Distinguish between labour and capital intensive method of production. [4 marks]Discuss the usefulness of the method of production adopted by Jan. [6 marks]Examine the usefulness of job production. [6 marks]Explain the factors which forced RDM to invest in automation. [6 marks]Explain the stakeholder conflict that would have emerged due to the changes made in theproduction process. [6 marks]6. Give one advantage and disadvantage of RDM of using a quality circle [4 marks]7. Examine the benefit of manufacturing customized aluminium bottles. [6 marks]8. Analyze the benefit of being a 100% family-owned business. [6 marks]9. Examine the impact of changing from mass production to cell production. [8 marks]10. Examine the impact of RDM’s relocation. [8 marks]11. Examine the usefulness of the just in time technique followed by RDM. [8 marks]12. ºExamine the use of process innovation to an organization like RDM13. Discuss the impact on RDM when 95% of private sector companies were nationalized by thecommunist takeover. [8 marks]14. Evaluate the impact on RDM shifting from the public sector to private. [8 marks]15. ?.production facility in another location in Europe. [8 marks]16. Discuss the impact of RDM’s culture on various business functions.17. Analyze the impact of RDM’s recruiting strategy on their possibilities for expansion. [10marks]Possible (4 marks) question that we came up with:1. List and explain two benefits for RDM introducing modern technologies in their productionsystem2. One advantage and disadvantage of having an automated business.3. Outline one disadvantage and advantage from including customization to the company.4. Outline an advantage and disadvantage of moving to a fully automated manufacturing5. State two ways on how RDM can improve their brand identity.6. Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages that exist with the introduction of a newproduct and entry into a new market?7. Discuss the potential approaches to develop HR strategiesTable of Contents

Line 33-43Line 105-117Line 103-1045.2 Production methods - Job customized (mass customization) production- “For most orders, customers enter desired specifications .”Distribution Channels & Location of Operation - Outsourcing5.4 Location - outsourcing (depending on company CSR)- “(Additional Information) - Section C - Possible Extra Stuff on the PaperBalance Sheet for when they invested in the automated manufacturing process.-Decision TreeSources of financeDevelopment indicatorsMore detail in ‘health care services’ - for marketing strategyAny stakeholder conflictCountry A vs B (relocation)BCG matrix on product position of products in the product portfolioForce field analysisOptions for expansion with financial information (building vs buying the factory, startinga joint venture) using ARR/NPVSpecific information about management structure at RDMHow has RDM used innovation? (Decline of kerosene stove, implementation of healthcaredevices.)Explain all the ways RDM has achieved economies of scale? (Amongst others, line 51,mass-produced stoves sold to wholesalers.)SWOT AnalysisSTEEPLEMix Questions1. Explain one influence to RDM’s organisational structure [4 marks]2. Explain the strategic and operational implications of RDM if they have to expand into otherInternational Markets [10 marks]3. Discuss the impact of globalization on International marketing with reference to RDM [10marks]4. Compare paternalistic and democratic leadership styles as used by Jan and his father inRDM [10 marks]5. Outline one importance of RDM establishing a CSR [2 marks]6. Analyze the benefits of being a 100% family-owned business. [6 marks]Table of Contents

7. Discuss the usefulness of a vision and a mission statement. [6 marks]8. Explain the factors which forced RDM to invest in automation. [6 marks]9. Explain the stakeholder conflict that would have emerged due to the changes made in theproduction process. [6 marks]10. Discuss the impact on RDM when 95% of private sector companies were nationalized by thecommunist takeover. [8 marks]11. Evaluate the impact on RDM from being shifted to the private from the public sector in theyear 1989. [8 marks]12. Discuss the use of a SWOT analysis to RDM [4 or 6 marks]13. Using the Ansoff Matrix, discuss the growth strategy of RDM. [8 marks]14. Examine the impact of the external environment of the Czech Republic on RDM. [8 marks]15. To what extent does CSR help RDM be successful? [8 marks]16. Prepare a decision tree/force field analysis as to whether Jan should use self-driven lorries orcontinue using human-driven ones for delivery. [8 marks]17. Draft a decision tree weighing up the 3 options of where to relocate RDM’s manufacturingin Europe.18. What is the Influence of human resource practices and strategies on an organization? [8marks]19. Discuss the internal and external factors that influence HR planning. [8 marks]20. Evaluate the impact of changing from a tall structure to a matrix structure under Jan.21. Explain, with reference to RDM two common steps in the process of recruitment for [8marks]22. Discuss the suitability of a democratic style of leadership displayed by Jan to run RDM. [8marks]23. Identify and Discuss Jan’s leadership style in comparison to his father’s leadership style. [10marks]24. Using a relevant motivational theory, examine the impact of Jan’s leadership style. [8marks]25. Examine the changing role of trade unions in an organization like RDM26. To what extent will the automation influence motivation of employees? Discuss withreference to one motivation theory. [8 marks]27. Explain the reasons which could have forced the company to come up with a kerosene stove.[6 marks]28. Explain the usefulness of branding to RDM. [6 marks]29. Explain which part of the marketing mix has been greatly focused upon. Justify youranswer. [6 marks]30. To what extent do innovation, ethical considerations, and cultural differences influencemarketing practices and strategies. [8 marks]31. Prepare a suitable marketing mix for healthcare devices manufactured by RDM. [8 marks]32. Examine the usefulness of STP as a tool for RDM. [8 marks]33. To what extent can e-commerce be used as a promotional and distributional strategy byRDM. [8 marks]34. Evaluate whether all concepts of the marketing mix are equally balanced. Justify youranswer. [8 marks]Table of Contents

35. Discuss the importance of market research in setting up the new production plant in anothercountry in Europe.36. Advise RDM on how to improve brand identity under the marketing perspective37. Advise what marketing strategy can be adopted by Jan for RDM.38. To what extent innovation, ethical considerations, and cultural differences may influencemarketing practices and strategies. [8 marks]39. Prepare a suitable marketing mix for healthcare devices manufactured by RDM. [8 marks]40. With reference to the case study, describe two advantages of RDM having a good brandidentity41. Explain the role/usefulness of a marketing plan to RDM [6 marks]42. Distinguish between labour and capital intensive method of production. [4 marks]43. Discuss the usefulness of the method of production adopted by Jan. [6 marks]44. Examine the usefulness of job production. [6 marks]45. Explain the factors which forced RDM to invest in automation. [6 marks]46. Explain the stakeholder conflict that would have emerged due to the changes made in theproduction process. [6 marks]47. Give one advantage and disadvantage of RDM of using a quality circle [4 marks]48. Examine the benefit of manufacturing customized aluminium bottles. [6 marks]49. Analyze the benefit of being a 100% family-owned business. [6 marks]50. Examine the impact of changing from mass production to cell production. [8 marks]51. Examine the impact of relocation To RDM. [8 marks]52. Examine the usefulness of the just in time technique followed by RDM. [8 marks]53. Examine the use of process innovation to an organization like RDM54. Discuss the impact on RDM when 95% of private sector companies were nationalized by thecommunist takeover. [8 marks]55. Evaluate the impact on RDM shifting from the public sector to private. [8 marks]56. the production facility in another location in Europe. [8 marks]57. Discuss the impact of RDM’s culture on various business functions.58. List and explain two benefits for RDM introducing modern technologies in their productionsystem59. One advantage and disadvantage of having an automated business.60. Outline one disadvantage and advantage from including customization to the company.61. Outline an advantage and disadvantage of moving to a fully automated manufacturing62. State two ways on how RDM can improve their brand identity.63. Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages that exist with the introduction of a newproduct and entry into a new market?64. Discuss the potential approaches to develop HR strategies65. Recommend whether they should expand health devices to European markets or not66. Evaluate the decision of moving to self-driving trucks to replace human-driven delivery.67. Distinguish between Public enterprise and Private enterprise.68. Why RDM changed from coal-burning stoves for residence69. RDM is highly automated what is the difference between automated and mechanizedorganization?70. Capital intensive vs Labour IntensiveTable of Contents

71. Stoves were mass produced whereas the healthcare equipment was customized according tothe needs and desires of the customers. (Mass production and Just In time?)72. Impact of globalization on RDM. Lower costs in the Asian markets.73. RDM to diversify into different product lines.74. What motivation theory is applicable to the workers of RDM in 2019 (Pink MotivationTheory)75. What motivation theory is applicable to the workers of RDM in 197076. Advantages and disadvantages of job production77. Qualities that make Jan a good manager78. Capital intensive, what will be the advantages and disadvantages of using machinery79. Advantages and disadvantages of mass production in relation to economies of scales80. “The reasoning behind the move to manufacturing medical devices was that, with the babyboomer generation soon to reach retirement age, the demand for goods and services in thehealthcare industry would be growing” How did RDM family feel that the demand forgoods and services in the healthcare industry be growing?81. How does the extension strategy of introducing kerosene/oil burning stoves help the RDMcompany?82. Critically evaluate the introduction of an automation process83. How does an integrated IT system help a business like RDM?84. Analyze the impact of globalisation for RDM?85. What impact did the change of leadership of Jan had on the stakeholder (employee) and thecompany.86. Why do you think RDM opted for CSR even before it became fashionable to the world.87. Identify and explain the pricing techniques that RDM can offer other than competitivepricing. Which pricing technique will be the best to use.88. Justify the importance of having a written corporate strategy for RDM.89. In your opinion, which source of finance should RDM use for expansion into the newmarket (share capital or loan capital)on RDM company.90. With the reference of the case study describe two advantages of democratic leadership style(4 Marks)91. Should RDM open a new production facility in Europe? (Possibly with reference to adecision tree)92. Recommend sources of finance for RDMs expansion project93. Discuss the impact of globalization on RDM’s workforce planning. (8 Marks)Table of Contents

STEEPLE Analysis of RDM - DetailedSocialTechnological1. Ageing population more demand for healthcare products (Line 13)2. Demands for kerosene stoves have been declining for many years;end ofproduct life cycle. (Line 4)3. Impact of tourism has aided the Czech economy. (Line 19)4. Many Czech also speak German, this means that they have positiverelations with Germany - Europe’s largest economy. Which also impactedthe IT infrastructure, making Czech’s IT among the best in the world. (line21)5. Automation forces people to quit their job and not to have a job since allfunctions of the business are done by robots. (Job redundancy) “Onlyoccasionally do humans have to intervene.” (Line 46)6. ‘RDM’ progressively employs fewer workers as they move towardsautomation (threat to workers).7. Changing trends of products can also be considered in social8. Educated and can speak German9. The change from the paternalistic to the democratic style of leadership ledto complaints of lack of focus on the part of the management, whichdepicts that there was some resistance to the change. (Line 97)10. RDM liaised with a vocational school, which provided opportunities tolocal workers to enhance their skills.11. Their attitudes, aspirations and motivations differ significantly from theworkers who survived the Second World War and had worked under theCommunist regime. With the 76.6% reduction in, and transformation of,RDM’ s labour force, the company no longer has the level of localinfluence that it formerly had. The vocational school no longer liaises withRDM r egarding the required skills of worker after the significant reductionin labour workforce.12. Czech’s IT among the best in the world (line 21)13. Potential widespread use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) andComputer Aided Design(CAD) could drastically reduce manufacturingcosts for RDM.14. Most ordering (purchasing) is done digitally and contacts betweencustomers and engineers are also done digitally - making this processfaster and more efficient15. Demand for ergonomic/personalized healthcare devices grow.16. Diversified into aluminum bottles. (Line 60-64)17. The gradual growth rate of self-driving cars can be cost-effective. (line48-49)18. (line 21-22 “Czech”) potential for e-commerce & trading , therefore,don’t need a physical store, therefore reducing a lot of their expenses (bothVariable and Fixed)Table of Contents

19. ‘RDM’ has achieved all the technological economies of scale forsuccessfully implementing the up-to-date technologies such as AI, robotsetc.- As demand for kerosene stoves had been declining for many years,in 1993, Adriana decided to add health devices using ergonomicdesigns to RDM’s product portfolio. (Line 10)- The Czech Republic now has an IT infrastructure that ranks amongthe best in the world.- Jan began to introduce a highly automated manufacturing process in2006 that was operational by 2009.- Jan wonders whether it will be long before self-driving lorries willreplace current human-driven ones for delivery.- In addition, digitized communication between robots allowed RDMto be responsive to customers’ requirements. As RDM improved itsautomation processes and integrated cloud computing, mobiledevices, big data, artificial intelligence and three-dimensional (3D)printing, its ability to customize products improved dramaticallyregardless of the size of the order.- Given that the entire order/manufacture/delivery process could stillbe performed in Lobjanec, this new facility would require limitedstaff and most of the work will be done by robots.Economic20. Fierce Asian competition In general, Asian companies can producegoods at a cheaper cost which are highly competitive to ‘RDM’21. Lucrative markets in Europe i.e. Germany22. The Czech Republic is one of the most stable economies in the world23. Competitive pricing zone within a 700-km radius24. The economic growth rate in Czech is 4.4%, making the Czech economythe highest growth in Europe .25. Trade Bl§ocs26. Recession in many European countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain)may reduce RDM’s growth (which is a reason for their planned expansion)27. Low levels of unemployment and inflation.28. Communist takeover: 95% of private sector commercial enterprises werenationalised in 194929. In 1989, Velvet Revolution: businesses went from state-owned to privatelyowned30. Czech economy had a smooth transition31. Stable market economy and democracy32. Prague is a tourism magnet33. Positive trade relations with Germany34. RDM employed a large unionized labour forceTable of Contents

35. Because of globalization and fierce competition from Asianmanufacturers, which had lower cost structures36. Free movement of labour throughout the European Union37. Capital intensive business can be expensive to maintain38. Euro still not used widely in the Czech Republic, exchange rates can stillimpact costs and prices for RDMEthicalPolitical39. Pioneering CSR activities to RDM stakeholders40. Fair wages (line 104)41. Emphasis on the care of the environment (line 104)42. Has relationships with suppliers that also maintain their CSR, and hence,fosters community services43. Free movement of labor in the EU allows highly specialized workers to berecruited around Europe RDM has a wide pool of applicants to choosefrom44. Czech used to be a communist state but has transitioned to a free market45. Brexit may negatively impact the market growth of RDM. Won’t be able to sell products to UK Tariffs and other fees will increase their prices in the UK A stable government in the Czech Republic is beneficial for themarket drivers in the economy46. Globalization - forcing lower costs of production47. In 1949, following the Communist takeover of what was thenCzechoslovakia, over 95 % of private sector commercial enterprises,including RD, were nationalized. Following the Velvet Revolution of1989, when Communism in Czechoslovakia collapsed, many companiesmoved from being state owned to privately owned.48. Post-revolution good Economic growth-stable market economy democracy post-communism.49. Post-revolution tourism has surged and there is greater economicintegration within European countries.50. democratic governance which facilitates stability in the country necessaryfor business to thrive (line 18)51. Part of this success stems from the relatively smooth transition, comparedto some other former Soviet bloc countries, to a stable market economyand democracy.52. For decades, RDM e mployed a large unionized labour force,mass-produced stoves and sold its product to wholesalers. Because ofglobalization and fierce competition from Asian manufacturers, which hadlower cost structures, in the early 2000s, Jan determined that Europeanmanufacturers would have to lower costs.Table of Contents

LegalEnvironmental53. Cost of transition from private limited to public involves legal formalitiesand structural changes54. Many countries have their own consumer and employee protectionlegislation. RDM is at an advantage here since they have one

IB Business Management Paper 1 Case Study Analysis Collaboration Document 2019 1 . Table of Contents . Table of Contents . Table of Contents . Table of Contents . Table of Contents . TABLE OF CONTENTS P O T E NT I AL Q UE S T I O NS 8 Unit 1 - Business Organization & Environment 8