Final answer:
The function at GAP that coordinates the design, production, and delivery of goods is operations management. This function ensures efficient production, distribution, and marketing to meet consumer demands within the complexities of a modern economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
At GAP, which is a retail company, the function that plans and coordinates all the resources needed to design, produce, and deliver merchandise is operations management. This area of business is critical as it ensures the production of goods and services are efficient and meet the needs of consumers.
In any modern economy, operations management plays a vital role. It not only focuses on the production itself but also on ensuring the distribution of products and the marketing efforts align with the demands of the market and the capabilities of the company.
The complexity of this system becomes clear when considering how many goods and services such as televisions are produced and sold. Operations management must gauge the needs and wants of society, manage the number of employees in each industry and ensure the production process is effective and efficient to meet consumer demand.