Question

Job scheduling pertains to:

A) buying machinery.
B) hiring workers.
C) inventory allocation.
D) capacity planning.
E) timing the use of work centres.

Answer 1

Job scheduling pertains to the timing of the use of work centres, aligning with efficient operations management. As wages increase, a firm may choose a technology that leverages more machinery and less labor, like production technology 3, which has the lowest total cost.

Step-by-step explanation:

Job scheduling pertains to E) timing the use of work centres. It is a key component of operations management, where the primary focus is on the most efficient way to structure jobs and use resources to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Specifically, job scheduling involves planning and controlling the sequence of tasks and the allocation of resources to those tasks within a manufacturing or service operation.

In the context of rising wages and union labor dynamics, the strategic decisions made by a firm can impact the approach to job scheduling. For instance, if wages increase to $24 an hour, a firm may have a financial incentive to invest in more machinery and thus use a production technology that involves less labor. This shift could enhance productivity as union workers may handle more or better physical capital equipment, although it could also lead to the firm hiring fewer workers. Therefore, the choice of production technology 3, which presents the lowest total cost and a shift towards more machines and less labor, aligns with effective job scheduling.