Useful Production Metrics (HL IB Business Management)

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Capacity Utilisation

Capacity utilisation measures how effectively a business uses its assets to produce output
It compares current output to the maximum possible output a business can produce using all of its assets
Capacity utilisation is calculated using the following formula and expressed as a percentage

$Capacity utilisation = \frac{Current output}{Maximum possible output} \times 100$

Worked example

Bäkkerei Lola produces specialist Indian and Bangladeshi breads which are sold to restaurants in the Munich area. Batch production is used in the factory to manufacture the range of breads and the factory can produce a maximum of 68,400 units per month. In May factory output was 51,420 units

Calculate Bäkkerei Lola's capacity utilisation in May [2]

Step 1 - Divide the current output by the maximum output

$= \frac{51, 420 units}{68, 400 units} = 0.75 (1 mark)$

Step 2 - Multiple the outcome by 100 to obtain the percentage capacity utilisation

$= 0.75 x 100 = 75 % (1 mark)$

Exam Tip

In your exam, you may need to rearrange the capacity utilisation formula. You may be given the percentage of capacity utilisation and have to calculate the volume of output.

The implications of under and over capacity utilisation

Under-utilisation

Low capacity utilisation means resources are being under-used
- This is likely to increase unit costs because fixed costs are spread over fewer units of output
- Workers are under-deployed leading to fears of redundancy
Operating under capacity provides flexibility
- Workers are freed up to complete maintenance tasks
- The business can respond to sudden increases in demand

Over-utilisation

High capacity utilisation may mean flexibility to respond to new orders is lost
- Staff are under pressure to increase output
- Overworked staff may leave increasing staff turnover
- Machinery operates at its limit and is more prone to breakdowns which disrupts production
High capacity utilisation minimises unit costs and increases competitiveness
- Busy workers feel secure in their employment
- A busy business is likely to be well thought-of and attract customers who are willing to wait for delivery of products

Worked example

Production Data for Pencil Manufacturers A and B

Manufacturer	Capacity Utilisation
A	55%
B	80%

Explain one implication of the level of capacity utilisation for pencil manufacturer A, compared to manufacturer B. [2]

Step 1 - Identify an implication

One implication is that manufacturer A's unit costs are likely to be higher than those of manufacturer B (1)

Step 2: Develop the point with a reason

because resources such as workers and machinery are not being used to their full potential (1)

Defect Rate

The defect rate is the proportion of output that is judged to be substandard in a given time period
It is expressed as a percentage and calculated using the formula

$Defect rate = \frac{Number of defective items}{Total output} \times 100$

Worked example

HomeFlex manufactures high-strength universal charging cables for mobile phones. In 2022 it manufactured and tested 14,220 cables of which 213 were found to be defective

Calculate Homeflex's defect rate in 2022. [2]

Step 1: Divide the number of defects by the total output

$= \frac{213 cables}{14220 cables} = 0.015 (1 mark)$

Step 2: Multiply the outcome by 100 and express as a percentage

$= 0.015 \times 100 = 1.50 % (1 mark)$

Sometimes it is not feasible to quality check every item of output
In these cases the defect rate is expressed as a percentage and is calculated using the formula

$Defect rate = \frac{Number of defective items}{Number of items tested} \times 100$

Reasons to reduce the defect rate

Businesses take steps to reduce the defect rate for several reasons
- Avoid loss of revenue as faulty products can rarely be sold
- Customers will likely complain about substandard products which causes dissatisfaction and impacts business reputation
- Unsafe products may harm customers and could lead to legal issues/prosecution
- Defective products are often returned and require refunds, processing and disposal

Exam Tip

The defect rate is likely to be much lower when businesses adopt a system of quality assurance, especially Total Quality Management (TQM)

However these approaches usually require a whole-business commitment to quality which may not be easy - or quick - to achieve

Businesses may therefore be willing to operate with a determined level of defects in order to avoid the upheaval and expense of moving to quality assurance

Measuring Productivity

Productivity is the output per input (person or machine) per hour
- For example, an Ikea worker is able to produce 2 Poāng chairs per hour
Labour productivity measures output per worker during a specified period of time
It is expressed as a number of units and calculated using the formula

$Labour productivity = \frac{Output}{Number of workers}$

Businesses aim to increase the level of labour productivity to improve competitiveness

Diagram Explaining the link Between High Labour Productivity and Competitive Edge

3-5-2-higher-labour-productivity-improves-businesses-competitiveness

Higher labour productivity improves businesses competitiveness

Worked example

The table shows the number of pairs of luxury wool socks produced by Sokkemani in 2021 and 2022

Year	Units Produced
2021	46,000
2022	69,000

In 2021 Sokkemani employed 50 staff. In 2022 the number of staff employed by the business increased by 20%

Calculate the percentage change in labour productivity between 2021 and 2022. [4 marks]

Step 1 - Calculate the labour productivity for 2021

$= \frac{46, 000 units}{50 workers} = 920 units per worker (1)$

Step 2 - Calculate the labour productivity for 2022

$= \frac{69, 000 units}{60 workers} = 1, 150 units per worker (1)$

Step 3 - Calculate the percentage difference between the two years ((new-old) / old)

$= \frac{1, 150 - 920 units}{920 units} \times 100 = 25 % (1)$

Step 4 - Identify whether the percentage difference is an increase or decrease

Labour productivity has increased by 25% (1)

Capital productivity measures of the output of capital employed (e.g. machinery) during a specified period of time
Capital productivity is expressed as a number of units and is calculated using the formula

$Capital productivity = \frac{Output}{Number of machines}$

Businesses aim to maximise capital productivity as expenditure on machines is likely to be high

Ways to minimise lost production time due to breakdowns

Upgrading and recalibrating machinery
Regular servicing and maintenance
Training workers using machinery
Use good quality raw materials and components

Worked example

Ferramenta forecasts that by the end of the year it will produce 250,800 units and that capital productivity will be 1,100 units per machine

Calculate the number of machines Ferramenta has in use. [2 marks]

Step 1 - Divide the output by the capital productivity

$= \frac{250, 800 units}{1, 100 units} (1) = 228 machines (1)$

Factors that determine productivity

Rivalry is an incentive for managers and workers to increase productivity
Investments in technology such as ICT improves worker productivity by allowing flexible working and higher quality output
Innovations such as online scheduling software give employees tools to make their tasks more efficient
Workers' skills and experience is improved by careful recruitment and ongoing training
Business owners' or managers' attitude towards risk determines the steps taken to improve productivity

Cost to buy (CTB) and cost to make (CTM)

Make or buy decisions occur when a business has to choose between manufacturing a product itself or purchasing it from an external supplier
The business compares the cost to buy and the cost to make
The Cost to Buy (CTB) is expressed as a monetary value and calculated using the formula

$Cost to buy = (Purchase price \times Quantity) + Delivery costs$

The Cost to Make (CTM) is expressed as a monetary value and calculated using the formula

$Cost to make = (Average variable cost \times Quantity) + Fixed costs$

Worked example

Orosi Valley Farm has decided to sell free range eggs in its popular shop. It could introduce chickens to the farm and sell the eggs they produce. Alternatively it could source eggs from a neighbouring farm. It expects to sell around 5,000 eggs per week.

Costs associated with each option are shown in the table below

Purchase eggs from neighbouring farm

Source eggs from own chickens

Average cost per egg

7.2 pence

6.4 pence

Delivery cost

£5 per 1000

N/A

Fixed costs

N/A

£60 per week

Recommend whether Orosi Valley Farm should make or buy eggs to sell in its shop. You are advised to show your calculations. [5 marks]

Step 1: Calculate the cost to buy the eggs

$= £ 0.072 \times 5, 000 = £ 360 (1) T h e n a d d d e l i v e r y \cos t s = £ 5 \times 5 = £ 25 = £ 360 + £ 25 = £ 385 (1)$

Step 2: Calculate the cost to make the eggs

$= £ 0.064 \times 5, 000 = £ 320 (1) T h e n a d d f i x e d \cos t s = £ 320 + £ 60 = £ 380 (1)$

Step 3: Make a recommendation

Orosi Valley Farm should make the eggs as the cost to make is lower than the cost to buy (1)

Make or Buy Decisions

Comparison of the cost to buy and cost to make determines a businesses choice
- If the cost to buy is greater than the cost to make production should be kept in-house
- If the cost to make is greater than the cost to buy production should be outsourced
A range of non-financial factors may be considered
- This is particularly important if a potential supplier is being used for the first time

Qualitative Factors in Make or Buy Decisions

Capacity	Quality
Is there spare capacity in-house? Will further staff be required? Will other output be affected?	Are standards met? What is the defect rate? How are problems resolved?
Reliability	Core Competency
How quickly can products be made? Does the supplier have a good reputation? Have targets/deadlines/standards been met previously?	Does the business specialise in producing this item? Could efforts be used more productively on other processes?

Exam Tip

When considering make or buy decisions, you must weigh up both the quantitative factors (calculations) and qualitative factors

Look for clues in the case study that can support your qualitative points and ensure that your decision is holistic - in other words, consider all of the evidence!

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Useful Production Metrics (HL IB Business Management)

Revision Note

The implications of under and over capacity utilisation

Under-utilisation

Over-utilisation

Reasons to reduce the defect rate

Diagram Explaining the link Between High Labour Productivity and Competitive Edge

Ways to minimise lost production time due to breakdowns

Factors that determine productivity

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Author: Lisa Eades