Final answer:
Carrying inventory on an assembly line can stabilize the output and increase dependence between workstations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carrying inventory on an assembly line can have several effects on the relationship between workstations:
- Carrying inventory can make the output of the assembly line more stable. Having a stock of inventory allows for a smoother flow of production, reducing the risk of delays or bottlenecks when one workstation runs out of parts.
- Carrying inventory makes the workstations more dependent upon each other. If one workstation runs out of parts, they may need to wait for more inventory to be delivered before they can continue working. This can create a ripple effect and slow down the entire assembly line.