Question

In contrast to the lean producers, U.S. mass producers typically maintain operations that involve all of the following except:

A) less mechanization.
B) greater labor direct content.
C) divide employees with no overlap.
D) limited quality control.
E) employee teamwork.

Answer 1

U.S. mass producers typically do not have less mechanization; instead, they are more mechanized and have greater labor direct content than lean producers.

Step-by-step explanation:

In contrast to the lean producers, U.S. mass producers typically maintain operations that involve all of the following except less mechanization. Lean production methods are characterized by less labor direct content, a higher degree of mechanization, and a strong focus on quality control and employee teamwork.

Traditional U.S. mass production techniques, on the other hand, tend to have greater labor direct content and divide employees with no overlap in responsibilities, sometimes resulting in limited quality control. However, as labor costs rise, firms may shift towards using more machinery and less labor to increase productivity, as indicated by the different production technology scenarios.