Final answer:
The example of Speedway Motors Inc. ordering from Steelbird Glass and receiving a sample for testing is a demonstration of quality control within the just-in-time delivery system, which aims to efficiently manage the supply chain and production quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Speedway Motors Inc. ordered 10,000 door assemblies from Steelbird Glass, who sent a sample for testing, is an example of quality control within the just-in-time delivery system. This business strategy improves quality control because it allows defects to be identified quickly before large quantities are delivered, thus maintaining production efficiency and ensuring only conforming parts are used in the assembly process. Furthermore, just-in-time delivery entails a reduction in warehouse needs and a dependency on reliable suppliers often located within a day's drive of the assembly plant. This leads to more localized production and potential wage pressures as suppliers compete for contracts.
The scenario described shows the practical applications of the just-in-time delivery model initially adopted by Japanese manufacturers in the 1980s and its impact on manufacturing and supply chain management globally. The just-in-time model has also introduced new dynamics into labor relations, providing workers with leverage points, such as strikes, which can have a ripple effect throughout the entire production process. Lastly, the global assembly line concept illustrates how multinational companies like Apple spread their production across different countries to optimize costs and efficiency.