Final answer:
Production factors outside of Joan Mason's control, such as poor weather, market conditions, competition, outsourcing, and internal production inefficiencies could be responsible for her unfavorable sales performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joan Mason, the marketing manager, suspects that the production department might be responsible for the unfavorable sales volume variance. Several factors in the production process that Joan does not control could have affected her performance. First, poor weather or other external conditions could impair production quality or quantity, leading to supply shortages and subsequently impacting sales. Additionally, the company might experience work overload, managerial role conflict and ambiguity, or difficult work relationships, contributing to inefficiencies and lower productivity.
Moreover, a drop in market prices for products due to overproduction can decrease total revenue and affect the sales value. Aligning with that, shifts in market conditions, such as unexpected changes in demand and supply, can result in a reduction of output prices or an increase in input costs, putting sales targets at risk. If the production department faces tough domestic or foreign competition, it might also lead to a decrease in market share and sales volume.
Outsourcing of manufacturing jobs and a trend toward streamlining managerial structures can lead to fewer supervisors and a reduction in production capacity or quality. This could also explain a variance in expected sales volumes. Joan’s role in marketing does not encompass control over these production-related circumstances, yet they can heavily impact her performance and the overall company's revenue.