Final answer:
True, a single resource such as labor or energy can be involved across all three stages of the operations model, which includes the production, value addition, and optimization (or distribution) stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that any one 'resource' can be involved at all three stages of the three-stage operations model is true. In the context of business operations, resources are typically transformed through a series of stages to produce goods or services. At Stage 1, resources are produced or extracted. Stage 2 involves the use of these resources to produce other goods or services, often signifying value addition. In the scenario of Stage 3, there is an overextension of resources, such as hiring too many workers, which can lead to a decline in marginal output and efficiency, ultimately causing negative returns. Therefore, managing resources efficiently at each stage is crucial for the productivity and profitability of a business.
As an example, in a factory setting, the same resource, such as labor, can be applied in various capacities across all stages. Initially, labor might be involved in setting up production; then utilized in the actual manufacturing process, and finally, labor might be used for distribution and marketing, which completes the transformation from input to output.
In terms of economic activities, primary activities like mining or agriculture produce raw materials, secondary activities involve manufacturing these into goods, and tertiary activities include services that support the distribution and sale of these goods. Resources like labor and energy are commonly used through all three stages, showing a tightly coupled relationship between economic scale and energy use.